A PRIMARY school in York is pulling its socks up according to Government inspectors.

A recent Ofsted monitoring inspection said that senior leaders and governors are taking effective action to tackle areas requiring improvement in order to become a good school.

The visit was the first such inspection since the school was judged to require improvement in October 2016.

Osbaldwick is set to join Ebor Academy Trust in July and is already working with Ebor informally.

Among the inspector’s findings, head teacher Lesley Barringer was singled out for striving for “sustaining improvements rather than providing a ‘quick fix’. You have employed robust performance management procedures to ensure that staff are fully aware of what they need to do to improve. Through this, you have successfully raised the overall quality of teaching.”

Governors have taken their role as ‘critical friend’ very seriously and are regular visitors to school.

Pupils spoke enthusiastically about their lessons, valuing history, physical education and art as highly as English and maths.

The inspector’s report went on: “In the majority of classes, teachers are ensuring that pupils are stretched effectively through tasks that are matched to their needs. Pupils’ books show that teachers go to considerable lengths to provide resources that enable pupils to acquire new skills and to practise these skills sufficiently to master them.

“Parents are able to access pupils’ work at home and to share and celebrate pupils’ achievements through commenting of ‘liking’ the work online.

“Middle leaders have played an important role in coaching other teachers so that the majority of teaching in the school is now effectively meeting the needs of pupils.”

Miss Barringer said: “The report is encouraging and we are very pleased that the schools inspector has recognised the hard work going on here at Osbaldwick by staff and pupils alike.

Osbaldwick and Ebor have partnered with Early Excellence, an established national leader specialising in developing young children’s education, to create a regional centre of excellence for early years. This is a collaboration which will provide benefits to all concerned and especially young children in York and North Yorkshire."

Richard Ludlow, chief executive of Ebor Academy Trust, said: “There is capacity at Osbaldwick’s The Leyes site and plans are coming together to make improvements to teaching spaces, reconfiguring the entrance to accommodate training facilities and adding a car park for participants in Early Excellence’s training courses.”