ATLP school praised for high expectations and putting smiles on the faces of pupils

Dedicated staff and pupils at a popular Tamworth primary school, recognised for being at the “heart of the community” are celebrating the results of the academy’s latest positive Ofsted inspection.

William MacGregor Primary School, part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), continues to be a “Good” school following an Ofsted short inspection in February 2023.

The school has been praised for its high expectations, strong teaching, ambitious and broad curriculum, positive safeguarding culture, and for providing pupils with a wide range of opportunities outside of the classroom.

William MacGregor Primary School, which was already a “Good” school, was inspected under Ofsted’s section 8 inspection framework, which determines whether a school is still “Good.”

Inspectors said: “Pupils are happy and feel safe at William Macgregor Primary School. They come through the school gates with smiles on their faces. Pupils and their parents know that the adults at school are always there to help and support them. This school is very much at the heart of the community.”

Head of School, Natalie Jones, said:

“We’re delighted Ofsted has concluded that we continue to be a ‘Good’ school. I’m so proud of the William MacGregor team, who work with great care and commitment to ensure that our children have the best experience at this school.

“There is much to celebrate in this report, from the progress the school is making and the excellent teaching and learning, to the wellbeing and happiness of pupils and staff. We are also addressing some of the improvements needed to ensure that we continue to perform to these high standards.

“I’d like to thank our children, families and staff for their continued support. It is a privilege to work at a school that really is at the heart of the community. Our learning community are so generous and thoughtful. For the last fundraising initiative, children completed a sponsored ‘Reindeer Run’ which raised £3,200 for St. Giles.”

William MacGregor has been part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership family since 2018. The strong practice demonstrated by school and trust leaders was also acknowledged by Ofsted inspectors, who observed:

“Leaders in school and from the trust know the school well. They visit lessons and speak to pupils regularly. When making changes, they consider advice and guidance very thoroughly and always consider the workload and well-being of staff. All staff at this school enjoy coming to work and are very proud to do so.”

Richard Gill CBE, CEO of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, said:

“Congratulations to Natalie and the team on this excellent result. I’m so proud of all they are achieving, This report recognises why the school is so successful and why children continue to thrive there.

“Everybody at William MacGregor shares our ‘One Trust’ vision of putting children at the heart of all we do. We are stronger together and will continue to work collectively to improve schools and transform communities.”

Highlights – William MacGregor Ofsted inspection February 2023

The school is a calm and purposeful place to learn. Pupils are confident, enjoy talking about their learning and display positive attitudes in class and around school.

Leaders have high expectations for all pupils and want them to do their best. Adults support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well to help them keep up with their peers wherever possible. Leaders are passionate about ensuring all pupils experience the whole curriculum.

Leaders place a particular focus on encouraging pupils to talk about their learning and to explain their thinking. Through regular structured conversations, pupils demonstrate a strong understanding of what they learn.

Leaders have designed an ambitious and broad curriculum for all pupils, including those with SEND. They have made deliberate choices about what is most important for pupils to know. They ensure that teachers know exactly what they should teach and when they should teach it.

The school has recently provided all pupils from Year 1 with a mobile digital device, which they use across the curriculum. Although at an early stage of implementation, pupils and teachers typically use these devices well to enhance learning.

Learning to read is a priority at William MacGregor. Leaders provide high-quality books for pupils to read. Most pupils love to read and do so often.

Pupils know and remember the curriculum well. They can talk confidently about what they are learning now and what they learned in the past. This is because the curriculum is well organised and designed to revisit learning and build on it.

Teachers also demonstrate strong subject knowledge and skilfully engage pupils in their learning. Pupils show a rich understanding of what they study.

Pupils get a wide range of opportunities outside of the classroom. They take part in afterschool sports clubs, take on roles such as school council members and enjoy exciting trips.

Pupils feel safe at school and know who to speak to if they have any worries. They are used to speaking about their emotions, which contributes to the school’s positive safeguarding culture.

Photo caption: L-R Laura Marsh, Assistant Head, Natalie Jones, Head of School, Ronnie Y6, Diana Reception, Martynas Y2, Sylvia Y4.