Notre Dame Du Rosaire rated excellent in its Ofsted report

The Catholic primary school was rated as excellent in the personal development and welfare category, as well as good in the four other categories – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision.

Headteacher Mary Robertshaw was pleased that the inclusive atmosphere that the school had worked hard to promote had been recognised within the report.

‘It says that we epitomise inclusion, which is one of our principal aims. It’s testament to the hard work that both the teachers and children put in every day.’

Ofsted inspectors noted that pupils were kind, compassionate and respectful to one another, and that the overarching success of the school was the culture created by senior leaders.

Mrs Robertshaw said that the values underpinning the school’s Catholic faith were a major reason as to why it had performed so well.

‘We have eight golden values which are based on the teachings of Catholicism. Not all of the pupils are Catholic, so we encourage them to talk about their beliefs and emphasise the importance of treating each other with the love, respect and forgiveness that they deserve.’

Mrs Robertshaw added that about half of the 247 pupils at the school spoke another language, with a total of about 20 different languages spoken at the school.

‘There is a very diverse mix of languages and cultures on both the infant and junior sites. We are a bit of a melting pot,’ she said.

Another of the school’s successes highlighted by Ofsted was that of its curriculum, which, according to the report, matched and in some respects exceeded the requirements of the Bailiwick curriculum.

‘Since the curriculum changed three years ago we have put in huge work to put the children at the heart of it and equip them with the core skills they need to succeed in life,’ Mrs Robertshaw said.

She added that her staff had not felt any extra pressure as a result of the inspection, because Ofsted had managed the process fairly and respectfully.

‘Ofsted led the inspection really well and were supportive at all times, which meant that we could get on with what we do best. I think the inspectors got a very genuine glimpse of who we are as a school,’ she said.

Mrs Robertshaw thanked director of Education Nick Hynes for his assistance, and said that the school had been well-supported by Education during the inspection.

‘Everyone really does do their best, which is reflected in this lovely report. I’m incredibly proud to lead this school and we will all continue to strive to deliver the very best we can for the children we serve,’ she said.