“This has been a real team effort, that just shows the strength of the Henry Hinde community”

A school in Bilton has been praised by Ofsted for its ‘caring relationships, strong leadership and rapid improvements’.

Henry Hinde School, which is part of the Transforming Lives Educational Trust (TLET), was inspected in September under Ofsted's new framework.

It achieved Expected Standard in four areas – a grading that Ofsted have said “raises the bar” on what the schools inspectorate used to grade as being Good.

Three areas, Curriculum and Teaching, Inclusion and Achievement, were graded as Needs Attention.

Up until September the school had been a separate infant and junior school but moved together to one site at the start of this academic year.

Inspectors described how leaders had managed the transition “extremely well”, with pupils and staff settling quickly into their new school environment.

Mandeep Mann, Head of School, said: “The last year has been one of the most significant ones in our school’s history.

“The decision to bring our two communities together was one that had the very best interests of our brilliant children at its heart – and we are pleased that the inspectors saw all that was being done to enhance their time at our school.

“While a huge amount has been done to further strengthen learning, what is most important is that they found our caring ethos and sense of fun and enjoyment has not been lost in the move.

“Everything that makes our school so special remains.”

Inspectors highlighted the positive atmosphere across the newly merged school, noting that “pupils feel happy and safe at school” and benefit from “caring relationships with staff who know them well.”

The report also recognised the impact of leaders’ work, highlighting “demonstrable improvements in pupils' attendance and achievement” over the past 12 months.

Mandeep added: “While the grading is called Needs Attention, I want to stress that doesn’t mean we need to start work in these areas.

“A more accurate description would probably be that we need to keep our sharp focus on these specific points.

“As Ofsted recognised, we have already done a huge amount of work in these areas – we simply need to continue on the path that we are on to ensure that our high aspirations are fully embedded.”

Leadership and governance were singled out for particular praise, with inspectors highlighting the Trust's decisive action to strengthen the school following the merger. The report states that trustees and local governors share a “relentless drive to continue to improve the curriculum, teaching and pupils' achievement.”

Helen Stevenson, CEO of the Transforming Lives Educational Trust, said: “Bringing two schools together is no easy undertaking, and we are especially proud of the way our children have embraced the changes, the positive relationships they have built and the kindness and respect they show one another.

“This has been a real team effort, that just shows the strength of the Henry Hinde community. The team at the school have been fabulous, and the support that we have received from parents has been heartening.

“We have all pulled together and, while there is work to do, this Ofsted report is a clear sign of the journey that we are on.

“That is what makes the future hugely exciting. We will continue to address areas that need focus and build on our strengths.”