A school has been praised for their ‘broad, balanced and interesting curriculum’ following a visit by Ofsted.

Pupils and staff at Blacko Primary School, on Gisburn Road, are celebrating after being rated ‘good’ by inspectors following a one-day inspection in November.

Ofsted praised teaching and learning at the school, which is part of the Pennine Trust, a Pendle-based multi-academy trust, stating teachers have strong subject knowledge and check regularly how well pupils remember important knowledge.

Headteacher Kate Richards said: “Everyone at Blacko Primary School is delighted with the feedback provided by Ofsted and I am very proud of the dedication and commitment of our staff team.

“This result reflects a significant, whole team effort to improve the education of each and every one of our pupils whilst providing a welcoming community which develops our children into well-rounded and thoughtful individuals.

“All of our staff, families and young people have played a central role in ensuring that the school continues to provide an excellent education that prepares children for an ambitious future of learning and opportunities.”

Inspectors noted that “leaders have set out a broad, balanced and interesting curriculum which makes good use of the school’s location”.

As well as providing a ‘carefully structured curriculum’, inspectors highlighted ‘the wide range of after-school clubs, including coding, art and different sports’ and that ‘pupils find out about the wider world’ and learn ‘important social skills, such as what it is to be a good friend to others’.

Inspectors found that pupils and staff were extremely positive about the school and reported that ‘leaders, staff and pupils work closely to fulfil the school mission to be respectful, collaborative and ambitious’.

During the visit, inspectors observed that pupils were ‘excited to arrive at school each morning’ and that “relationships between staff and pupils are warm and friendly’. 

The important role played by the Pennine Trust was also highlighted, with inspectors commending the  ‘wide ranging and effective support’ to the school, whilst offering staff ‘frequent opportunities to visit other schools in the trust to work collaboratively to share expertise’.

Chief executive of The Pennine Trust, John Tarbox, added: “I am thrilled that inspectors praised the things we have all been concentrating on at Blacko.

“In particular, the trust values being very much in evidence, the strong curriculum and wide range of extra-curricular activities as well as the levels of support offered to all pupils to ensure each individual thrives.

“My thanks go to Kate Richards and the wider staff team along with congratulations on achieving this excellent report.”