Press Release: School praised after ‘on the spot’ inspection

November, 2005

‘Earlsmead Primary school in Tottenham gives its pupils a good education in a caring and inclusive environment.’

That is the verdict of education watchdog Ofsted after the school underwent one of the first inspections to be carried out under new Government guidelines giving schools just two days notice prior to the inspectors’ arrival.

Although pupils at Earlsmead start school with standards well below average they were found to make good progress, particularly in English. The quality of teaching and learning was also judged to be good - especially the teaching of pupils for whom English is not their first language and pupils with learning difficulties. The leadership of the school was also praised for its focus on raising standards in English and mathematics.

Inspectors highlighted the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the children and their appreciation of diversity.

Nine out of ten of pupils at Earlsmead come from ethnic minority backgrounds - the largest groups being of Caribbean, African and Turkish speaking heritage - and the school’s report singled out the way it celebrated the richness of this ethnic diversity.

Pupils were found to have a high regard for eachother and pride in their own identity. Behaviour of children at the school was good and parents said they thought Earslmead made them welcome and listened to their views.

Headteacher Sue Head said: 'We are proud that Ofsted has recognised the efforts of everyone at Earlsmead to make this a good school.'

Haringey Council’s executive member for children and young people Cllr George Meehan added: “This excellent report demonstrates Earlsmead’s many strengths and is a tribute to the hard work undertaken by the head, teaching staff, parents and governors to raise the achievement levels of children as they pass through the school. Most of all it is a credit to the children themselves, many of whom arrive at Earlsmead without English as a first language.”

November, 2005