St Christopher’s Church of England Primary School in Red Lodge, between Mildenhall and Bury St Edmunds, was rated as a “good” school overall – the first time in its history to get this grading.

It was placed in special measures just two years after it opened in 2012 and then joined the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust in 2016 who appointed new headteacher Caroline James.

In 2019 it moved to “requires improvement” and after further work from the Trust and leadership team, it has been rewarded for its well-sequenced curriculum and the importance it places on preparing pupils for further education and the world of work through “future work-related role play”.

Pupils were praised for their “mature and positive attitudes”, being “polite and considerate of each other and living and breathing “the school values of ‘positivity, respect, independence, determination and equity’.”

Headteacher Caroline James said: “We are extremely pleased and proud of the staff and the children and have seen a marked improvement in all areas particularly in quality of education. We are particularly proud of the quality of education, our early years provision, leadership and management.

“What was emphasised by the inspectors was our passion for giving pupils the skills they need to thrive in future – and helping them live and breathe the values that we stand for as a school.

“This includes giving our pupils responsibility, encouraging independence and boosting confidence. Our Year 6 house captains lead celebration worship on a Friday, other Year 6 pupils take on all the setup of the school hall, and they carry out roles as librarians, office helpers and manage the eco council.

“We also have anti bullying ambassadors in the playground who can help with friendships.”

The Ofsted report singled out this aspect as particularly beneficial to the school culture, adding: “Bullying is very rare and, if it does happen, staff resolve it quickly. Some pupils are trained to be anti-bullying ambassadors. They help others to feel safe and happy at school.

“Older pupils relish the many opportunities available to take on positions of responsibility.”

The report also praised staff at the school who “have developed a curriculum which ensures pupils understand the importance of vital values such as tolerance, respect, equality and democracy.”

Mrs James said: “We are thrilled to see that the quality of education has been recognised along with our well-sequenced curriculum which takes a progressive approach, not just in the core subjects of maths, reading and writing but in other subjects too including history, geography, science, music and art.

“In the last two years, we have introduced a whole new maths framework which has made a big difference and we embrace whole class reading which our children really enjoy.”

She added: “This hasn’t been a simple journey and a lot of hard work has been done by a lot of people to achieve this standard. 

“Joining the DEMAT family, raising expectations, transforming the curriculum delivery and creating a fantastic team in early years and throughout the school has allowed us to make significant improvements. We are absolutely delighted to continue to see the school flourish and to have this level of recognition.”



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 supported by “well-trained staff” which “provide targeted support”.