A PRIMARY school in Black Dam remains ‘good’ after keeping hold of its rating from Ofsted.

Rucstall Primary School, in Holbein Close, achieved ‘good’ in all five areas the education watchdog was looking for, except in the personal development, behaviour and welfare category where it was given the top ‘outstanding’ rating.

The inspectors, who visited on October 3 and 4 this year, observed that the school had been through a period of staff changes, but had successfully navigated through this.

The report read: “The school has been through a turbulent time with many changes to leadership and staff. The headteacher has united the school community in a drive to improve outcomes for pupils.

“As a result, in the last year there have been rapid improvements, especially in Key Stage 2.”

Headteacher Helen Morris was particularly praised. The report read: “The headteacher has shown great determination in leading the school through a time of significant turbulence, during which pupils’ performance dipped.

“Together with the deputy headteacher, she has focused unswervingly on raising outcomes by improving the quality of teaching. In 2017, attainment rose sharply at the end of Key Stage 2 because the quality of teaching has improved.”

The pupil’s behaviour was also praised. The report read: “Pupils’ behaviour is impeccable. They are polite, cheerful and friendly to staff and their classmates alike.

“Pupils are enthusiastic learners who work hard and take pride in their achievements.”

To progress to an ‘outstanding’ rating overall, the school must, according to the report: “Strengthen leadership and governance so that leaders can be held more stringently to account by ensuring that improvement plans focus clearly on the impact that actions will have on speeding up the rates of progress of different groups of pupils.”

It was also recommended that the quality of teaching writing in Key Stage 2 be improved by using starting points that are more interesting for boys and giving pupils regular opportunities to apply their skills to writing at length.

The school was unavailable for comment before The Gazette went to press.