The Guisborough school where love is all around

Ofsted inspectors have praised the loving environment at St Paulinus Catholic Primary in Guisborough as they reaffirmed its status as a good school.

“Pupils at St Paulinus School embody the school’s mission statement, ‘Love one another as I have loved you’,” the report said. “They know it means to love and help everyone around them.

“The basis for the curriculum is one word from the school’s mission statement, ‘love’. Each letter of the word ‘love’ represents a driver for the curriculum: learning, opportunity, values and excellence. These drivers shape the curriculum well and encompass the school’s aims.”

Executive headteacher Simon Geaves and head of school Rachel Bircham, who have been part of the school’s leadership team for 10 years, warmly welcomed the report.

“We are proud to read such a positive report that captures the school beautifully,” said Mr Geaves. “It is a ringing endorsement of everything that is good at St Paulinus.”

Mrs Bircham added: “The report identifies that our renewed curriculum, including mathematics and foundation subjects, is having a positive impact on our pupils’ learning experiences.

“We have worked hard to ensure a consistent approach to phonics lessons, as we know this is the key to helping our pupils be successful and confident readers.”

Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT) also comes in for praise in the report, as do the school’s governors.

“The trust provides leaders with a balance of support and challenge that helps the school to improve,” the report says.

“They recognise the school has implemented several new initiatives in recent years that need time to embed and flourish. “Governors hold leaders to account in meetings. For example, they ask probing questions about pupil premium funding to ensure that it is spent effectively.”