Twenty outstanding primary schools - excelling against the odds

02 Oct 2009

Today's report highlights Ofsted's commitment to raising standards and improving lives.

Twenty outstanding primary schools - Excelling against the odds showcases outstanding schools where children in disadvantaged communities reach high standards. It lays down a challenge for the many schools that face lesser challenges and should do better, and for those that are already good and aim to be outstanding.

The report is a learning tool and source of information on best practice. We will be sending a copy to all primary schools in England.

The 20 primary schools featured in the report are all in very challenging areas. Some of the schools have emerged from an Ofsted category of concern. The report shows that inadequate schools in challenging circumstances can be turned round to become excellent.
Disadvantage, with an above-average proportion of pupils receiving free school meals, does not mean that schools have to have low standards.
These schools represent the 'cream of the crop', achieving excellence consistently in difficult circumstances.
What stood out in these schools was the quality of leadership; the high expectations of staff and high aspirations for pupils; the commitment and teamwork of all staff; and the excellent teaching and learning taking place.
Every child deserves an excellent education and these schools have shown a passion for providing this, through good leadership and management, their curriculum and a constant focus on teaching and learning.

We want other schools to learn the lessons of the best practice demonstrated by these 20 outstanding schools. The report is written for all primary schools to use to help them achieve success.

The report is part of our work to help achieve better outcomes for children and young people. We previously published Twelve outstanding secondary schools. A report on outstanding special schools is to come.

Secrets to success

Excellence is down to vision and conviction; leadership and teamwork, and a constant focus on teaching and learning.
Staff work together as teams and are passionate about finding ways of doing things better.
Leaders ‘walk the talk’, leading by example to perfect teaching and the curriculum.
Pupils are treated as individuals, staff have high expectations for them and give them the support to achieve.
There is a relentless focus on progress and engaging with every child.
Schools appoint and develop staff who can achieve consistently high standards.
Daily contact with parents and carers helps to gain trust and open the gates to learning.
Schools share their excellence with others through interaction and partnerships.
Schools show the importance of assessment, analysing data to track pupil progress.
Schools don’t wash their hands of difficult children and their families.
They don’t say ‘we are not social workers’ or blame the child for where they come from.
They show pupils how to learn for themselves in a purposeful, stable and structured way.
They give them opportunities, responsibility and trust, building a child’s self belief.

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Twenty outstanding primary schools - excelling against the odds

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