OLIVER Tomkins has been praised by inspectors as an ‘outstanding’ school for its deeply embedded Christian values.

The latest report from the National Society of Statutory Inspections of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) examined how well the primary school enhanced spiritual and religious education and values.

The report follows an inspection in February, three months after education watchdog Ofsted visited the school and classed it as ‘good’.

SIAMS inspectors praised the deeply embedded Christian values among the school’s pupils and the role collective worship makes to promoting the Christian ethos of the school.

But the report recommended further improvements to the resources in the dedicated outdoor quiet area and getting the children more actively involved and taking ownership of the planning and presentation of worship.

The report stated: “The Christian character of Oliver Tomkins Infant is outstanding because distinctive Christian values are firmly embedded and permeate the life of the school. These values create a happy, positive community where all children feel special and are highly valued.

“Core values clearly underpin the aims of the school and are lived out in the caring relationships across the school.

“Relationships are excellent and children have a clear sense of fairness, knowing the difference between right and wrong.

“Children show respect for other faiths and beliefs and have some awareness of Christianity as a multi-cultural world faith.”

Rhian Cockwell, headteacher at Oliver Tomkins, said: “We were very pleased when Ofsted rated us as good and to be rated as outstanding in the SIAMS report just a few months later was brilliant.

“For us it means we base what we do on Christian values, but that doesn’t mean it’s exclusive to other faiths. It just means we place great importance on teaching children about honesty, trust and friendship, and other key values.

“While reading, writing and counting are very important, understanding these values is also important and they are key skills that will set them up for life.”

Read the report at http://oliver tomkinsschools.co.uk