Beacon Rise Primary School in Kingswood has retained its Outstanding judgement from Ofsted in its first inspection since 2011.
Schools with the top rating were exempt from inspection until 2020 and are now judged under a different framework, meaning that many no longer qualify.
But the team of four inspectors who visited the 630-pupil school in Hanham Road in December said it was Outstanding for its quality of education, leadership and management, children’s behaviour and attitudes and their personal development, and early years provision.
They noted a “palpable sense of aspiration” in Beacon Rise and said pupils had a thirst to learn and achieved exceptionally well.
“Pupils are immensely proud of their school. They attend regularly and are punctual. Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. They are polite and well mannered. Pupils demonstrate high levels of care and consideration for each other. They are respectful to staff and visitors,” their report said.
Among other positive comments, Ofsted said:
- Children get off to an excellent start to their education in the Reception Year.
- The school prioritises reading. It is threaded into every subject. Children learn to read as soon as they start school.
- The school curriculum is highly ambitious. It sets out the knowledge and skills pupils need to learn.
- Staff have a deep knowledge of the curriculum.
- Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) make strong progress throughout the curriculum and participate fully in school life.
- Governors provide highly effective support and challenge to school leaders. Staff and governors are dedicated to children, pupils and families in the community.
The inspectors highlighted the school’s promotion of equality and diversity – “it supports pupils to understand that ‘everyone is ‘unique in their own way’” – and its cultural passport, which gives children the chance to visit art galleries and hear live music.
They also praised the opportunities given to pupils to participate in community events and take on leadership roles, enabling them to develop a sense of responsibility and compassion.
“Pupils develop a sense of empathy and agency through charitable initiatives,” the report said.
The school said in a statement: “We are immensely proud of the students at Beacon Rise and are thrilled that the hard work of our children and staff has been recognised.
“For us it is all about giving the children the best experience that we can, filled with opportunities that they may not have elsewhere.
“This latest result is one part of a wider picture of the school; we hope that parents and the wider community continue to work with us to make Beacon Rise even better for the children in the future.”