A Nottingham primary school has been praised for creating a happy and respectful environment that encourages children to improve and expand their horizons.

Ofsted inspectors said Robin Hood Primary has a sense of ‘calm and purpose’ – and that improvements in teaching are making a positive impact on pupils’ progress and attainment in maths.

Rating the school as ‘Good’, the education watchdog identified the main factors driving improvement as:

  • the contributions leaders at all levels make to improving teaching and learning
  • the readiness of staff to share their skills and learn from one another
  • the raised aspirations of pupils, parents and carers
  • the quality of the school’s curriculum and its engagement with the community
  • the expertise and commitment of staff that enable the school’s most vulnerable pupils to succeed.

Inspectors said: “Staff are proud to work at Robin Hood Primary School. They judge that it is continually improving. Pupils learn and play happily together. They are friendly and show respect towards visitors, staff and one another. They speak enthusiastically about their learning across the curriculum.”

The latest report means that the school, in Beckhampton Road, Bestwood Park, has maintained its ‘Good’ rating.

Commenting on the report, Head Teacher Nicola Bridges said: “We work closely with parents, governors and our wider community to ensure children are at the centre of everything we do.

“We’ve had a focus on raising standards in reading, writing and mathematics and progress is being made, particularly in maths. I’m very proud of the dedicated staff team who go above and beyond to ensure we challenge and support pupils to aim high, excel and exceed expectations.”

Cllr Neghat Khan, Portfolio Holder for Education and Skills in Nottingham, said: “I am pleased that Robin Hood Primary continues to be rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted. Everyone should be proud of their hard work and dedication.

“We’re working with partners from across Nottingham to ensure that all schools can replicate the kind of success being shown by Robin Hood Primary. By working together as a city, we hope that all schools will be rated as ‘Good’ or better. Our children deserve nothing less.”

Currently, 87% of children in Nottingham go to a school that is rated as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted – that’s the highest in the East Midlands and above the national average.

The full report is available here.