A headteacher has said she is delighted after inspectors praised her school for being on the right track to a good Ofsted report.

St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School in Ann Street, Brighton, has been rated requiring improvement on two successive full inspections.

But this month the school was visited by inspectors on a monitoring visit and found the school to be on the right track to achieving a good Ofsted.

Headteacher Katie Blood, who has only been in the post for a year, said: “We were delighted with the Ofsted inspector’s letter following our recent interim visit. She recognised the hard work and commitment shown by staff and governors on our journey of school improvement. Our pupils shone with enthusiasm and showed her what brilliant learners they are.

“As a school, we are lucky to have welcoming and supportive families who are part of valued school community.

“As a result of this letter, we have confirmation that we are on the right path to success and further progress is inevitable.”

The encouraging news comes after the school, with 42 staff and 192 pupils, was rated requiring improvement in 2014 and 2016.

Inspector Amanda Gard praised Ms Blood for increasing moral among staff and devising a plan to tackle areas identified for improvement.

The report said there had also been an “increased focus on teaching and learning” and “positive changes to behaviour”.

Ofsted recommended the school:

  • Sharpens its improvement plan by measuring the school’s progress better
  • Builds on success in maths teaching to make teaching of other subjects stronger which was described as “not consistently good”
  • Uses information better to understand pupils’ achievement and to improve the attendance described as “far too low”

According to Government figures, only 34 per cent of pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared with the Brighton and Hove average of 64 per cent and national average of 61 per cent. Persistent absence is also at 17 per cent compared to the national figure of eight per cent.

Ms Blood said the school is now looking forward to its next full Ofsted inspection and improving its current rating requires improvement to good.