Headteacher '˜overwhelmed' by praise from Ofsted inspectors

The headteacher of a South Tyneside school says she has been left 'overwhelmed' by a recent Ofsted report.
Monkton Infants School receive good Ofsted.
Head Clare AskwithMonkton Infants School receive good Ofsted.
Head Clare Askwith
Monkton Infants School receive good Ofsted. Head Clare Askwith

Monkton Infants in St Simon Street, South Shields, was visited by an education watchdog in January.

But despite being given 12 hours’ notice of the visit, staff were able to show why they deserved to keep their previous “Good” rating.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was the first time the school had been inspected as part of the new guidance which sees inspectors carry out one-day visits.

The report said: “Despite a period of some turbulence in staffing, you have ensured that your pupils continue to make good progress from their starting points in the Nursery to leaving your school at the end of Year 2.  

“Governors, staff and parents are rightly proud that your pupils leave the school with outcomes that are significantly above the national average year on year.”

The report went on to praise the ambition the staff has for pupils, which “shines through”, and praised the honesty regarding the strengths and areas for development in the school.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mrs Askwith said: “I am very pleased and very proud with the rating we have received from Ofsted.

“We have had quite a few staff changes over the last couple of years but we have a lovely team here with the teachers, parents and children.

“They really do pull together so this is a well-deserved report.

“The inspection was carried out under the new guidance and it was quite intense. For myself as a headteacher, I am very pleased with the report and can’t praise and thank my staff enough for their hard work and dedication in ensuring we deliver the best for our pupils.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It has been a number of years since our last one, so to know we have maintained the standard of a “good” rating is amazing.”

The report has asked for the school to look at development in areas including ensuring pupils in all year groups attend school on time and developing the progress of children in early years, in particular those who are disadvantaged.