A Rode Heath headteacher has praised his staff, pupils and governors and thanked parents and carers after receiving a glowing Ofsted report.

Rode Heath Primary School in Heath Avenue has been judged to be 'good' in its latest inspection but looks set to receive outstanding in the next.

Inspectors said: 'there is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged outstanding if they were to carry out a graded (section 5) inspection'.

The latest inspection, which took place in November, was an ungraded inspection and the next, usually within the next year or two, will be a graded inspection when the school could then receive a higher grade.        

In a letter to parents, headteacher Carl Leech, said: "Since our last inspection in May 2017 where the school was graded 'good' overall and outstanding in two of the five areas, there have been many challenges, not least the global pandemic and year on year reducing budget.

"With this in mind, the achievements detailed in the report really are something to celebrate with the implication that we are 'outstanding' in all areas under this new, even more rigorous inspection framework.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank every stakeholder who has been part of the journey of school improvement to date. The teachers, senior leaders, teaching assistants, office and site staff have all worked tirelessly to ensure that children have access to the very best possible provision and outcomes that we can provide."

He added: "Finally, thank you to you as parents and carers for the contribution you make every day in supporting your child or children in the activities of the school.

"I hope you will share in celebrating this success and be as proud of our wonderful school as I am."   

Mr Leech said the most pleasing part of the report was the recognition from Ofsted of the school's work in educating the 'whole child' in their development and that 'pupil's personal development threads through all their learning in school, that pupils are knowledgeable and form balanced and considered opinions and are well prepared for life in modern Britain'.

The report states: "Leaders are highly aspirational for all pupils. They have designed an ambitious curriculum that is exciting and rich in opportunities.

"In each subject, leaders have carefully ordered the knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn. Over time, pupils revisit these, building a rich body of subject knowledge that they can use and apply in their learning."