I am delighted to share the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection and to celebrate what this means for our whole school community.
Following the inspection on 7 July 2026, Newton Primary School has been judged to be meeting the Expected Standard under Ofsted's new inspection framework. This is a significant achievement for our school and represents clear recognition of the tremendous journey we have been on together. Moving from a previous judgement of Requires Improvement to Expected Standard is something that our entire school community should be immensely proud of
This report recognises the dedication of our staff, governors, pupils and families, and the positive changes that have taken place across the school. As Headteacher, I could not be prouder of what has been achieved.
The inspectors found that "Pupils are proud to attend Newton Primary School. They arrive happy and look forward to the day ahead."
They also recognised the values that sit at the heart of our school, commenting that pupils "embody the school values of gratitude, respect, opportunity and wonder."
One of the strongest messages throughout the report is the positive culture that exists across Newton Primary. Inspectors noted that leaders and staff have worked hard to create a school where children feel safe, valued and supported. They found that safeguarding standards are met and that pupils feel welcome and secure in school. They described morning times as "a hive of activity" and highlighted the warm relationships between staff and pupils.
The report celebrates our commitment to inclusion, stating that "leaders share a commitment to inclusion" and recognising the effective support provided for pupils with SEND and those who face barriers to learning or wellbeing. Inspectors noted that staff work closely with external professionals and that leaders act quickly when pupils need additional support.
We were particularly pleased that inspectors recognised the strength of our relationships with families. They stated that "leaders have positive relationships with parents and carers" and that "parents speak highly about the school and the changes that leaders have made." Thank you to all the parents who completed the parent survey and spoke to the inspectors on the day. Your voice shines through in the report.
The report also celebrates our ambitious vision for children's wider development. Inspectors praised our comprehensive programme of personal development and wellbeing and highlighted how the Newton Promise ensures that every child can access memorable experiences and enrichment opportunities. They recognised the broad range of clubs, leadership opportunities, educational visits and community activities available to our pupils.
Another point of pride is the recognition given to our staff team. Inspectors commented that leaders have maintained a focus on staff wellbeing during a period of significant change and that "staff are very proud to work at the school."
The report also acknowledges the strong work undertaken by the school's new leadership team. Inspectors found that "leaders have worked with precision and pace since they joined the school" and that they have successfully identified and prioritised areas for improvement. They also recognised that leaders are united in their ambitions for the school and its community.
As with any inspection, there are areas identified for further development. However, I would like to reassure parents that these are not surprises to us. The areas highlighted by inspectors had already been identified through our own rigorous self-evaluation and school improvement planning.
Indeed, the report itself acknowledges the work already underway. Inspectors recognised that leaders know where improvements are needed, that curriculum development is taking place across the school, that a new handwriting curriculum has been introduced, and that leaders are actively monitoring teaching and learning to secure further improvements.
The next steps identified by Ofsted focus on:
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Continuing to strengthen teaching and learning across the wider curriculum.
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Further developing writing and handwriting.
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Refining curriculum planning so that key knowledge is clearly identified.
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Embedding behaviour-for-learning strategies so that pupils maintain consistently positive attitudes to learning.
These priorities align closely with the work we have already begun and form an important part of our ongoing journey of school improvement.
Most importantly, this report confirms that Newton Primary School is moving strongly in the right direction. It recognises the significant improvements that have been made in a relatively short period of time and celebrates the caring, ambitious and inclusive school that our community has worked so hard to build.
To find out what our parents thought of our school when Ofsted visited, please click here Newton Primary School | Ofsted Parent View
For more information about Ofsted report cards and gradings, please watch this video created by Ofsted. New Ofsted report cards and grades: a guide for parents
The best way for you to find out about what's going on at Newton is to visit our school. Please call the school office to arrange an appointment for a tour with the headteacher.
Ofsted Inspection Report - Click here to go to our page on the Ofsted website or click the file below to see our latest report.