St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School in Crook is celebrating a positive outcome following its recent Ofsted inspection. Inspectors concluded that the school has taken effective action to maintain the good standards identified at the previous inspection, reaffirming its commitment to providing high-quality education and care for its pupils.

The report highlights the school’s welcoming and nurturing environment, stating:
“Pupils enjoy attending this welcoming school. Warm and caring relationships with staff help pupils to feel safe. Staff get to know pupils well. They support pupils to succeed by ensuring that they start the day ready to learn.”

Inspectors praised the school’s ambition for all pupils, noting that this begins in the early years and continues throughout their education:
“The school is ambitious for pupils’ achievement. This begins in the early years, where children develop an interest in learning. Pupils study a curriculum that engages and supports them to develop their knowledge.”

Other key strengths highlighted in the report include:

  • Positive behaviour and attitudes: “Pupils behave well. They are kind and polite to each other and to visitors.”
  • Opportunities for leadership and community involvement: Pupils take on roles such as the ‘sports squad’ and ‘reading squad’, and make valued contributions to the local community through charity work and partnerships with a local food bank.
  • Enrichment beyond the classroom: Pupils benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports clubs, puzzles, and games, which help develop their wider interests.

Executive Headteacher, Paula Strachan said: "Last year we launched our ASPIRE curriculum, the impact of this has been measured in a very successful inspection and in the highest results that the school has seen in many years.  Our St. Cuthbert's school family are determined to be the best that we can be and I thank staff for their commitment and dedication to the children that we serve."

The full Ofsted report is available on the Ofsted website: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/149057