TWO SCHOOLS have been judged as good by education inspectors.

The overall effectiveness of Gorse Hill Infant School and Holy Rood Catholic Junior School have been rated as good by Ofsted.

And inspectors described Gorse Hill’s partnerships with parents and efforts at keeping children safe as outstanding.

Headteacher Sue Kershaw said: ‘I am extremely proud of the staff, children, governors and parents. Everyone’s hard work has led to us receiving a good Ofsted report.

“The Ofsted report has recognised that Gorse Hill Infant School is committed to ensuring that pupils make progress within their learning and that all pupils and families are provided with excellent care, guidance and support.

“Our next challenge is to work with parents to continue to improve attendance and to ensure that our curriculum builds smoothly on the pupil’s knowledge and understanding that they have already gained at the school.”

Inspectors said teachers help build children’s confidence.

“Good relationships and the positive atmosphere which teachers promote help pupils build their self-esteem and try their best even when they find work challenging,” said the Ofsted report.

“Really exciting activities grab pupils’ attention so that they work hard.”

Holy Rood Junior pupils have been celebrating Ofsted’s verdict on their school – up from satisfactory in 2007. The Ofsted report said: “It has consolidated and improved its performance since the last inspection.

“Strong Catholic principles lie at the heart of the school’s work and are the basis of the outstanding care, guidance and support provided for all pupils. Therefore all pupils, including the most vulnerable, make good progress and pupils feel extremely secure.”

One third of pupils do not speak English as their first language and inspectors were impressed with bilingual Konkani and Polish-speaking staff supporting children.

Tony McAteer, the headteacher, said: “We are more than pleased with the Ofsted inspection. We are a good school with several outstanding features.

“I am delighted because we have a highly committed professional team of staff who are prepared to go the extra mile, as Ofsted has commented.”