Stilton CofE Primary Academy was rated as a ‘good’ school overall with two out of five areas inspected being hailed as ‘outstanding’ – having been placed in special measures before it joined the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust.

Pupils were commended for many reasons, including their ‘exceptional behaviour’, ability to ‘flourish through friendship’ and strengths ‘in being curious and kind’.

The report praised staff, who ‘have strong subject knowledge and are confident in their teaching’ and shines a light on the exceptional work being done by school staff, governors and leaders at the Trust combined with commitment from pupils and parents in supporting the aims of the school.

Executive headteacher Clara King said: “The whole school is absolutely delighted with the result of this Ofsted inspection. 

“It shows the incredible amount of hard work and dedication the entire team puts into making Stilton the wonderful school it is. 

“We are dedicated to making sure that our pupils access the best education experience possible and will continue to build on this even further. 

“A big thank you to our brilliant students who enjoy school and work so hard and to everyone in the community who supports us.”

The school’s focus on reading was given special mention, stating that ‘the reading curriculum is a strength. Leaders prioritise reading from the moment pupils start school. They recognise how vital reading is to support pupils to be able to learn the curriculum’.

The school has embarked on a dramatic journey of change, with staff working to ensure the provision is a high standard consistently across the school.

Mrs King added: “We have lifted standards across the board, implementing the development of subject leadership, making sure our pupils are receiving a knowledge rich curriculum which is taught to be remembered and that leaders are able to effectively monitor that this takes place across all areas of the curriculum.”

The school has also focused on its support for pupil premium families through carefully considered plans and by engaging parents in their children's learning. This work has been developed over several years and the school says families feel well supported.

The impressive Ofsted report comes off the back of an exceptionally challenging period for the education sector and Mrs King says she is particularly proud of this result given the challenges of the pandemic.

She explained: “The school worked incredibly hard during the pandemic to ensure the children were getting the same high-quality experience we expect. This involved daily live Zoom lessons for every class, guided sessions for those who needed additional learning support and daily check ins with vulnerable families.

“Communication was key and a strength of the school during this time. Keeping close contact during a difficult time to ensure pupils were getting the right support and progressing well was paramount.”

Other areas which were highlighted, include the school’s effective safeguarding procedures and its provision for those with Special Educational Needs (SEND), reporting that pupils with SEND are ‘able to access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers,’ and that ‘pupils with SEND achieve well’.

Early years students were also observed as ‘getting off to a great start’ in their education and the school was found to have a happy, harmonious atmosphere in which children talk excitedly about their learning and show high levels of self-control, even in the face of challenges.



Mrs King said: “I am one very proud headteacher indeed and it is fantastic to see the hard work and dedication of the whole team being recognised so strongly.”