CHILDREN are celebrating after being labelled outstanding by government inspectors.
All 275 pupils at Mount Pleasant Primary School, Darlington, were presented with a gold medal to recognise their behavioural achievement – just four years after their school was put into special measures.
Staff also marked the result of their Ofsted report with a whole school celebration including a pyjama party, a cinema club, junk modelling and arts and crafts sessions, arcade games and a talent show.
Headteacher Carol Coleman, who has helped lead the school’s dramatic turnaround, said: "We are absolutely delighted. I knew that Mount Pleasant had been put into special measures when I took the post of head teacher in April 2010, but for me that was the challenge.
“We knew that through measures introduced, such as developing existing staff and bringing in new teachers, the introduction of new standards of behaviour and a code of conduct, that we were making solidly good progress.
“But we were not expecting to receive an outstanding result quite so soon. It’s a great pat on the back for all of our students and staff who have worked so hard.”
The school has seen its behaviour and safety of pupils move from being rated inadequate in 2009 to outstanding in 2013 by introducing a system of awards and sanctions for conduct.
Pupils are rewarded with smileys followed by bronze, silver and gold awards in weekly assembly presentations for their good behaviour.
“The children adapted very quickly to the new systems,” said Mrs Coleman.
“They just needed to know the expectation that we had of them and they really like being praised for their good work.
“Our Year 6 students have just produced their best ever set of SATS results and are now performing above average. All of our pupils are achieving their potential and have become much more confident as individuals.
“We are also working much more closely with parents helping to support them with any issues and also receiving great support from them in return.”
The highlight of the celebration afternoon was a visit from the Darlington Ice Cream van and free ‘99’ ice cream cones for all staff and pupils.
Head of the school council Iasmina Ionescu, 11, added: “I feel really proud that we have been recognised as outstanding by Ofsted.
“And it is nice that we have all been given a medal to show how we have all worked to make our school a better place.”
