A Nottingham primary school has been praised for being 'happy and inclusive' after it received a 'good' Ofsted rating. Djanogly Strelley Academy has been commended for following the school's values of ambition, kindness and teamwork.
The school, which takes pupils from the ages of three to 11, was inspected for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Ofsted praised the pupils for valuing each other and respecting each other's differences as well as staff giving opportunities for children to learn about the world around them.
Djanogly Strelley Academy on Helston Drive, Strelley, was also praised for designing an ambitious curriculum to meet pupils' needs, especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Safeguarding at the school is considered effective and Ofsted highlighted that staff teach students how to keep themselves safe, including when online.
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Ben Armstrong, Headteacher, Djanogly Strelley Academy, said: “We welcome the very positive and encouraging feedback that we have received from Ofsted." The headteacher, who took up the post in February 2020, added: “We take great pride in creating a happy, inclusive and safe environment so that our children feel settled and develop the confidence to become the very best they can be.”
Areas for improvement include the curriculum in a small number of subjects not being as precise in terms of progression and sequencing as it is in other subjects. Plus assessments not being as well developed in wider curriculum subjects as they are in the core subjects.
Liz Anderson, chief executive officer at Djanogly Learning Trust, said: “We recognise that children need a curriculum that promotes ambition and aspiration through purposeful and rich experiences that broaden their perspectives on life. "It’s great to see that happening at Djanogly Strelley Academy. I would like to commend all of the staff for their commitment, diligence and hard work.”
The school provides the 412 pupils with a wide range of opportunities to support their personal development including sports, chess and cheerleading. The inspector found leaders and staff at Djanogly Strelley Academy know families well and parents and carers appreciate this, as one said: "Teachers have gone above and beyond during these difficult last years." The school has maintained its good rating from their previous inspection in 2017.
