Choosing the right primary school is one of hardest choices a parent can make, and for many families, it is important to know how their choices have fared in official inspections
There are around 100 primary schools in Greater Manchester that have rated “outstanding” or “good” by Ofsted, the school regulatory body, and six that received those ratings were inspected in 2022.
Ofsted inspects and assesses schools based on overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviours and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
Schools are given a rating of either “outstanding,” “good,” “requires improvement” or “inadequate” and you can find the latest inspection reports for every school and childcare provider on the Ofsted website. Schools previously rated outstanding used to be thereafter exempted from frequen routine re-inspection - but those rules changed last year, meaning some local schools found themselves downgraded on reinspection.
Here are the six that received the top ratings during inspections in Greater Manchester during 2022.
5. St Stephen's RC Primary School
St Stephen’s RC Primary School in Droylsden received a “good” rating in June 2022, improving on its previous rating of “requires improvement.” The Ofsted inspectors said: “Pupils are well cared for. They feel safe and happy in school. They know whom to turn to for support if they have any worries. Staff listen to pupils. They deal quickly and well with pupils’ concerns. This includes managing the rare incidents of bullying effectively. Leaders have improved the curriculum. They have raised their expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils achieve well across a range of subjects as a result.” Credit: Google Maps | Google Maps
6. St Mary's RC Primary School
St Mary’s RC Primary School in Levenshulme received an “outstanding” rating in July 2022 improving on its “good” rating at the previous inspection. Ofsted said: “Leaders provide a highly effective curriculum from the early years to Year 6. In all subjects, they have thought carefully about the key knowledge that they want pupils to learn and when they should learn it. This helps pupils to achieve exceptionally well in all subjects. The provision in the early years is excellent. Children become confident and inquisitive learners.” Credit: Google Maps | Google Maps