A CHESHIRE primary school is celebrating after seeing its transformation efforts recognised with a Good Ofsted report.
St Paul’s CE Primary School in Utkinton has been on quite a journey over the last few years.
The school, which dates back to the early 1900s where it was originally a chapel, has seen modernisations to the building and ethos of the school.
St Paul's CE Primary School has received praise from Ofsted inspectors.
At the end of 2020, the school joined CDAT (Chester Diocese Academy Trust) and in 2021 a new leadership team was brought in. Kerry McLean, executive headteacher and Sian Simcock, head of school, have worked incredibly hard along with the rest of the staff to transform the school back into the beating heart of the community that it once was.
As a result the school has a new look, a new uniform, and a new vision for the school, where it prides itself on the well-being needs of the children who attend which also includes weekly in-house Forest School lessons led by Mrs Chaloner.
At the end of the 2022/2023 academic year, the school had its first Ofsted Inspection as part of CDAT and received an outcome of 'Good', with inspectors noting: “This is a small school with a big heart.”
St Paul's CE Primary School has received praise from Ofsted inspectors.
One of the parents said of the school: "My two daughters joined St Paul’s Primary School two years ago and they fell in love with the setting from day one. They moved from a large school and I believe the family atmosphere and caring staff made this difficult transition extremely smooth for them.
'Above and beyond'
"Since joining the school my girls have become confident - in the large school they used to be 'in the shy kids group' – now they are encouraged to speak up every day and this made a huge difference.
"The children receive enormous amounts of attention and they are treated as individuals. The teachers know their abilities so well and tailor teaching to children to bring the best possible results.
St Paul's CE Primary School has received praise from Ofsted inspectors.
"What I love about this school is that I can ask the teacher every day about my daughters and they simply know how they are getting on, if there is anything they are great at or maybe struggle. This is simply not possible in large settings.
"The headteacher goes above and beyond to secure the best possible learning environment for the children. We are very lucky our children joined St Paul’s."
Upcoming events at the school include school tours, free stay and play sessions for toddlers and their caregiver with EYFS and Forest School teacher Mrs Chaloner, a Christmas toddler party on December 11, and a stay and play holiday session and holiday club on November 3 for the introductory price of £5 per child.
- For more information on these events, or about the school, email admin@utkintonce.cheshire.sch.uk.
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