Dilwyn school still hoping for free school status (From Hereford Times)

Dilwyn school still hoping for free school status

4:10pm Wednesday 30th May 2012 in News

Dilwyn's primary school has had its fight for survival saluted by Ofsted – with the strongest praise of all going to the pupils.

Residents of Dilwyn did not let St Mary’s Primary die when Herefordshire Council went as high as Whitehall to see the school shut down, saying its future rolls were not worth keeping it.

St Mary’s eventually had to go it alone to survive, and has now secured an interview with the Department of Education for coveted free school status.

The school has also received its latest Ofsted grading – good in all areas but with pupil behaviour praised as “outstanding”.

Other specifics cited by the inspectors were: the broad curriculum ensures that pupils are prepared well for the responsibilities, opportunities and experiences ahead of them; and teachers use their very good subject knowledge to plan challenging work.

A few miles away, the Sutton Primary Academy, at Sutton St Nicholas, has been celebrating after it was judged as “good” overall with “outstanding”

features in its Ofsted inspection.