Type=image;ImageID=16925;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Grove Primary School;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=16926;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Pupils making good progress;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=16927;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Pupils behave well in class and around school;TitleClass=strong;
Inspectors visited Grove Primary School last month and concluded that headteacher Ben Davis, with the support of his leadership team, has "improved the school considerably" over the last 2 years, creating a secure, caring environment in which pupils are keen to learn.
They found that "improvement is evident in all areas, including behaviour, teaching and outcomes", and that academic standards "have risen substantially", with pupils making good progress. Attainment is rising rapidly across the school, especially in Early Years and Years 1 to 4. Stronger teaching is also leading to improvements in Years 5 and 6.
Pupils benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum and enjoy the range of opportunities they receive, with inspectors highlighting "skilfully taught Spanish, computing and music lessons" which they say supplement the curriculum well.
Pupils behave well in class and around school, have "good attitudes to learning" and are "courteous and polite". Relationships are "highly positive", with pupils trusting teachers and other adults and, as a result, they feel safe. Good-quality pastoral support is also provided for children and their families, and safeguarding arrangements are effective.
The St Martin's Multi Academy Trust, of which Grove Primary School is now a part, provides good levels of support for school leaders and staff, and there are high levels of accountability.
Mr Davis said: "This is great news for our school community as it acknowledges the efforts of our fantastic children, dedicated staff and supportive parents."
Councillor Lynne Moran, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "Everyone at Grove Primary has worked incredibly hard to transform the school and it's great to see that inspectors have found that standards have risen across the board.
"I would like to congratulate Mr Davis and his leadership team, teachers and support staff and of course pupils and their families on this achievement."
The inspection, on 13 and 14 November, was the first since the Caledonia Road school became an academy in 2016.
To find out more about education in Wolverhampton, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=435;Title=Education and Schools;.
- released: Friday 7 December, 2018