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Outstanding school gives pupils a chance to 'shine'

Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromMile Cross Primary School, Norwich
Andrew Turner/BBC Maxwell has blonde hair, tied back, while Rayleigh has short black hair. They are both wearing white polo shirts and purple jerseys, embroidered with the school logo. They are holding their A4-sized workbooks open. Other children are sitting at desks behind them. School work is displayed on the classroom's walls.Andrew Turner/BBC
Maxwell, left, and Reilly, show some of their work - a short story about why they like their school

The head of a primary in an area of social deprivation said the school was improving the life-chances of pupils by focusing on improving their English and maths.

Mile Cross Primary School in Norwich opened in 2008 after the merger of Norman First School, Dowson Junior School and Mile Cross Middle School.

In 2016, 57% of pupils reached the expected standard of reading, writing and maths. The latest figures show this has now risen to 72%.

Head teacher Stuart Allen said working in partnership with the government's education watchdog Ofsted - which rates the primary as "outstanding" - had "helped us to grow".

Nine-year-old Reilly said: "I really enjoy it.

"It's not just great, it's perfect. Mile Cross School is the best school in Norwich and the best school you'll ever see."

Maxwell, 10, said: "With top-tier teachers and students, this school is amazing."

Andrew Turner/BBC Mile Cross Primary School, featuring yellow brickwork on the lower half, white rendering to the upper storey, and a grey corrugated metal roof. There is a gable, painted purple, which bears the name in silver letters, Mile Cross Primary School. In the foreground is a lawn, some black bollards and a green utility box.Andrew Turner/BBC
Mile Cross Primary School was built in 2008. It has a library and common area in its centre with classrooms leading off

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released figures showing one in four children in Norfolk do not meet the expected standard for reading by the time they leave primary school.

With writing and maths also included, the ONS said only half of children in the county were meeting the minimum standard.

By contrast, Mile Cross Primary posted figures stating almost three out of four children had achieved the standard for reading, writing and maths.

In its latest inspection report, Ofsted said: "Pupils are given every opportunity to shine at Mile Cross Primary.

"Pupils achieve well academically and have many other opportunities to excel.

"They develop into mature, confident young people."

Andrew Turner/BBC Stuart Allen has medium length grey hair, slightly receding and swept over to his right. He is smiling, and is wearing a black hoodie and a purple lanyard around his neck. He is standing near a photomontage of children participating in school activities, set behind a glass ballustrade.Andrew Turner/BBC
Head teacher Stuart Allen says he has changed the school's ethos by rewarding good behaviour

Mr Allen added: "That work that we've done with Ofsted, it's a partnership... that's helped us to grow.

"You've heard it from the teachers, you've heard it from the children, they just love coming to the school.

"It's about creating an environment that's welcoming and inviting.

"In every classroom the children are working so hard, trying to better themselves."

He said he was trying to create a culture where pupils realised that by working hard they could "make something" of themselves.

The school has 456 pupils. It gets pupil funding of £1,552 for each child on free school meals.

That comes to £282,599.24, which is spent on additional staff, outdoor learning at a forest school, educational trips and rewards for 100% attendance and excellent work.

Norwich North Labour MP Alice Macdonald told the House of Commons it was a "shining beacon of what a local school can provide its residents".

She told BBC Radio Norfolk: "I managed to mention Mile Cross in Parliament following this excellent Ofsted verdict because I think it's really important to highlight success stories."

The MP said the school had a "real sense of community" with teachers, parents and Mile Cross residents working together.

Andrew Turner/BBC Hannah Barrett has long silvery grey hair, and she is smiling. She is at a desk with children behind her. She is wearing a black-and-white patterned dress. Behind the children are blue vertical blinds at the window, and children's work is pinned to the walls. There are books on the desk in the foreground.Andrew Turner/BBC
English teacher Hannah Barrett says the children enjoy learning and good attendance, effort and behaviour is rewarded

English teacher Hannah Barrett said: "We create a lot of opportunities for the children.

"We make sure that they have lots of things they can do that they're interested in and we give them chances to write about what they want to write about."

She said the school organised "loads of trips", including an up-coming residential stay in London.

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