A rural primary school in Harrogate has received a good rating from Ofsted - just over a year after being deemed inadequate.
In November 2021, Ofsted inspectors rated Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School as inadequate for the first time in its history.
The 33-pupil school had a good rating in 2011, but subsequently received requires improvement ratings in 2015, 2017, 2019, followed by an inadequate grade in 2021.
However, in less than 18 months, the school has leapt from being inadequate in all five main areas of assessment to an overall grading of good by Ofsted and is making huge strides in the right direction.
The dramatic turnaround is thanks to the hard work and team effort of education officers at North Yorkshire Council and the school staff who have worked collaboratively to turn around the previous rating.
Executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “I am very pleased and grateful that the hard work of the Interim Executive Board drafted in by the council has made this remarkable achievement possible.
“Thank you to everyone at Ripley Primary School for their commitment and support.
“I am thrilled that Ripley Primary School is now an educational establishment where children can flourish. We, as the local authority, are committed to continue developing the best possible provision for the pupils and will work tirelessly to build on these successes.”
Ofsted inspectors recently visited the school in Main Street and were extremely impressed with what they saw. They noted significant improvements had been made since last year in the strengthening of the school.
The report stated: “Leaders are relentless in their drive to support pupils to achieve their best and have designed a curriculum which broadens pupils’ horizons. Pupils enjoy their lessons. They pay close attention to adults. There is little or no disruption, which means pupils are able to concentrate well.”
The report added: “The interim executive board, which includes representation from the local authority and the Diocese of Leeds, brings a rich array of expertise and experience to the school’s leadership.”
It was also highlighted that “leaders communicate and engage well in the community”.
Robert Ling, who was drafted in as the chair of the Interim Executive Board, said: “Since the IEB came into force in February 2022, it’s been a real team effort and I would like to thank members of the IEB for their commitment in turning things around.
“We are immensely grateful and proud of everything we have achieved in such a short period of time, and I hope the school’s journey of improvement continues. Ripley Endowed Church of England School is part of a federation of three schools - Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary and Beckwithshaw Community Primary School. However, I would also like to express my gratitude to Killinghall Primary School, Admiral Long School and Birstwith C of E Primary School, for their continued support in the remarkable journey that this federation has taken. Finally, a huge thank you to the parents and carers for your continued support of the school, especially during the past 18 months, which have been challenging for everyone.”
Assistant director for education and skills, Amanda Newbold, said: “I would like to thank the IEB members who have voluntarily given hours of their time to support this school and its community. This small group of governors has offered their expertise and drive to ensure the school has achieved this successful inspection outcome.”
Meanwhile, the school’s interim co-executive headteacher, Victoria Kirkman, said she was “proud” of the new rating.
She added: “Since my commencement at the federation, the sole focus has been rapid school transformation. The implementation of robust systems, processes and a curriculum that meets the needs of all children whilst focusing on high levels of pastoral care has ensured success.
“Children have only one chance at an education, and I am delighted that now, the children of Ripley Endowed Church of England School will succeed and have far greater life chances.”
Also delighted by the improvements is Rebecca Foy, the school’s interim co-executive headteacher and special educational needs co-ordinator.
She said: “We are absolutely thrilled with our result. It reflects the hard work, high expectations and dedication of the staff team to our children and families.
“We would like to thank parents and carers whose unwavering support to school life at Ripley, along with the wider community, has been a key factor in making us a positive and ambitious school and, of course, our wonderful children who we are immensely proud of.”