23 July 2010

School celebrates Ofsted success
The Ofsted report for Aspin Park Primary School stated: 'In this outstanding school, pupils attain high standards because outstanding teaching and an increasingly exciting curriculum enthuse them and help them make good and sometimes exceptional progress. The school's clear-sighted self-evaluation has meant that initiatives, including improved teaching and care, a more stimulating curriculum, and more effective assessment strategies, have maintained high standards and are beginning to further increase rates of progress.'

Mr Long was especially pleased that the inspectors recognised the role children play in the school.

"We are always keen to try and create a 'small-school' feel in a large school, and the report bears witness to this," he added. "The letter the team sent to the children was great, because it stated 'You go to an outstanding school and, of all the excellent things we saw, the best is you!' I could not have put it better myself."

The school has had a busy summer, involved with Knaresborough in Bloom, the Harlow Carr budding gardener competition, where it won a Green Award, local sporting competitions, and it also won the Harrogate and District netball championship and then went on to become North Yorkshire Champions at the Youth Games.

The feather in the cap came when the school was assessed for Eco-Schools Green Flag status.

"We have encouraged the children to be not just aware of environmental matters, but also to do something about it, in and around school," said Mr Long.

"Our wildlife area and our wonderful garden are brilliant examples of how the children get their 'hands-on''. This was borne out by the award of the Green Flag, of which the school's Eco-Team is rightly proud."

Chairman of Governors June Graham was delighted the school's strengths were recognised not only by the "outstanding" judgement of the Ofsted inspectors, but also by the Green Flag award.

"Both reflect the ongoing hard work and dedication of staff, pupils and parents at the school," said Mrs Graham. "The school looks forward to the future challenges of continuous improvement."

The school also says goodbye to deputy head Robin Scott after 17 years at Aspin. He will be moving on to become headteacher at Moorside Junior School in Ripon, and be replaced by Ian Holmes.

"Robin moving on will be a big loss to the school, and we all wish him well for the future," said Mr Long. "However, the school has a wonderful capacity for sustained improvement and we look forward to September, but not before we all have a well-earned rest!"

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