OFSTED inspectors have praised children at a primary school in rural Herefordshire – and left by saying it continues to be rated as good.
The inspectors praised the school for how pupils behaved, including how they have befriended Ukrainian refugees new to the Golden Valley.
The report said Michaelchurch Escley Primary School, which has 63 pupils aged between four and 11 years old, wants all pupils to do as well as they can in their work.
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Leaders, under headteacher Louise Crocker, have successfully designed a curriculum to stretch and challenge pupils of all abilities, so that they achieve well, the inspectors said in the report, published in January.
During the inspection on December 2, they found behaviour in lessons and around the school was of a high standard and pupils looked out for each other at playtime.
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They also said that pupils knew that bullying, which was rare, would be sorted and they respected others from different backgrounds, such as the Ukrainian refugees.
Children at the school were praised for accepting different backgrounds and befriending Ukranian refugees who had just joined the school
Leaders were also said to make much of their beautiful rural setting so children developed a curiosity of their local environment, while trips to London and Birmingham helped them experience life in culturally diverse Britain.
The inspectors Mark Sims and Stuart Clarkson said reading was at the heart of the curriculum and teaching of phonics is consistent, with maths also praised and safeguarding said to be effective.
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They said: "This is a very harmonious community where pupil, staff and parental surveys were unanimous in their praise for the work of the school.
"Leaders are very mindful of workload, which teaching staff fully appreciate. Governors have a detailed knowledge of the school, including the curriculum, and provide a high degree of support and challenge."
After the inspection, the first since it was rated good in 2016, inspectors did say revisions to the curriculum in some subjects had been introduced more recently than others.
As a result, they had not been as securely embedded as other subjects in taking account of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The pair said leaders should ensure that the curriculum was implemented effectively in all subjects to take account of the needs of all pupils.
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