Tuesday 28th November 2006
(ref:
404/2006)
Hindley J&I is an outstanding school.
That’s the official verdict from government education chiefs.
Inspectors from schools’ watchdog Ofsted recently visited the Argyle Street junior and infants’ school as part of a thorough examination into how effective it is.
And the subsequent report compiled by the inspectors is full of praise for every aspect of school life.
In terms of the overall effectiveness of the school, the inspectors awarded Hindley J&I the highest possible mark with a grade 1.
The Ofsted inspectors say: “This is an outstanding school. Pupils do very well here and develop into confident, caring individuals.”
And the praise continues with the inspectors highlighting the personal development of pupils’ as ‘outstanding’, good standards of teaching and learning and a good school curriculum with very strong features.
The report says: “The curriculum meets the pupils’ diverse needs well. The way the curriculum is organised and the opportunities it provides contribute strongly to pupils’ personal development by stimulating their interest and generating enthusiasm. The school extends learning and development through a wide range of extra-curricular activities.”
Hindley J&I boasts nearly 100 years of history but last year was completely re-built to become one of the borough’s flagships for inclusion.
It can now accommodate children with a range of disabilities and complex medical needs.
The report says: “The keynote of the school is that all pupils know they are valued. All are given full access to everything it can offer. The inclusion of pupils with complex medical needs in the school contributes much to the personal development of all pupils.”
The report adds: “Conversations with pupils show a very clear awareness of others’ needs and a strong sense of right and wrong. Pupils show care and consideration for each other.”
Headteacher Chrissie Lawrence and the school’s leadership come in for particular praise from the inspectors.
“Outstanding leadership and management set high standards,” the report says. “All aspects of the school’s work are continually and rigorously checked…The drive for improvement is evident throughout the school.”
A delighted Mrs Lawrence says: “We have seen a lot of changes at the school in recent years and it is a testament to the entire community at Hindley J&I that we have not only managed these changes but come out with such a glowing report at the end.
“Results such as these only come about when everyone is committed to achieving the very best and we are extremely lucky to have such dedicated pupils and staff along with the support of parents and our governing body.
“However, we are also not complacent at Hindley J&I, our school motto is: we can always do better and we will all be working hard to build on these results and continue to improve.”
In congratulating the school Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Cllr Brian Wilson says: “Fully inclusive education, state-of-the-art building, dedicated professional staff and enthusiastic pupils…Hindley J&I is a model for the future of education in our borough and we are extremely proud that it has been recognised as such by Ofsted.
“It has been labelled as ‘outstanding’ but anyone who has ever visited Hindley J&I and seen the school in action would change that to ‘truly outstanding’!
“It has certainly been a positive investment by the council”
