The Priory Catholic Voluntary Academy has high expectations for all pupils and the curriculum is well established and ambitious, according to Ofsted.
Inspectors visited the school, in Eastwood, in March 2025 and said that effective action had been taken to maintain standards at the previous inspection, which saw a Good rating awarded in 2019.
They said: “Pupils are happy at this school. Most pupils think everyone is kind. They say this makes it easier to make new friends. Pupils are safe.”
According to the report, pupils who need help to catch up with their learning get appropriate support and staff work together well to help all pupils do their best.
The vast range of clubs provided by the school was highlighted by inspectors who said: “They (pupils) talk with great enthusiasm about the trips they have been on. Pupils enjoy taking responsibility through their leadership roles. The school provides an extensive range of ways to support pupils with their mental health.”
The report described the curriculum as “ambitious” and said it helped pupils to make links between their own experiences and the wider world.
“The school has identified the broad knowledge that pupils should learn in each year group. Close consideration is given to pupils’ needs. For instance, the recent focus on teaching vocabulary helps pupils who speak English as an additional language and pupils with special needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do well.”
Inspectors said that learning in lessons was well structured, and that staff use their strong subject knowledge to model tasks so that pupils develop their understanding.
The school’s early years provision was praised and the report said that children demonstrated an excellent understanding of the school’s routines and expectations.
“They play together cooperatively and enjoy the outdoor provision. They like solving problems, for example, thinking about how to make ‘dens’,” inspectors said.
Children with special educational needs are well supported, the report said. “Pupils with SEND who find it difficult to manage their emotions benefit from bespoke interventions and nurture support.”
The school’s values of ‘we care’ are woven into all aspects of school life, inspectors said. “Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes to learning in their lessons. They share achievements proudly with others. The new behaviour policy helps pupils to reflect on their choices.”
The report said that pupils’ best interests are at the heart of the school’s decision making .
Anthony Harrison, Headteacher, said: “This report is testimony to the hard work and creativity of children who follow the lead of their parents and school staff.
“Our children achieve well because of our strong partnership with parents, as we work together in a thriving community where children flourish as they live out the school’s values and mission in their everyday lives.
“No better example of the strong relationship the school has with our parents can be found in the work of the PTA, which has been instrumental in raising funds for a brand new trim trail and countryside path, which circles the half a mile perimeter of our beautiful school grounds.
“Our pupils lie at the centre of this partnership and the inspector agreed that the high attendance levels, and the large number of children who stay after school to undertake clubs and activities, shows that they are happy and thoroughly enjoy coming to this school.”
Children at the start of the new countryside path at the school.
Pupils enjoying a walk on the new countryside path.
Pupils trying out the new trim trail at the school.