Delight as Ofsted judges Moreland Primary School to be ‘good’ for the first time

An Islington primary school which has transformed its fortunes after joining forces with a neighbouring school has been rated as good with outstanding features by Ofsted for the first time in its history.

Pupils, staff and parents at Moreland primary school in Moreland Street, Bunhill ward, are celebrating after the glowing report commended children’s behaviour and personal development as ‘outstanding’ – the highest possible rating – with every other area judged to be ‘good’.

Moreland has been in a federation with nearby St Luke’s CofE primary school since the summer of 2011, with both led by executive headteacher Ann Dwulit and a single board of governors.

Inspectors were full of praise for a school they say “places the needs of children at its core”, meaning “all groups of pupils achieve well”.

The report found that quality of teaching is “at least good and much is outstanding”, where “exciting lessons capture the interests of all groups of pupils” who go on to make “rapid progress” through the school.

They found that pupils had “developed a thirst for learning, try very hard and behave superbly”, and praised a leadership and governance team that “has had a marked impact” on driving up standards.

The report adds that “the benefits of the improvements in teaching are clearly being seen across the school,” with a “strong focus” on reading, writing and numeracy that “has accelerated [pupils’] progress and enables them to succeed”.

Inspectors also praised the “invaluable support” provided by Islington Council’s schools service.

Executive headteacher Ann Dwulit said: “Moreland is just up the road from St Luke’s and was in danger of closing in 2010. The governors and I really wanted to help, and we have been on a journey to improve it at every level since, including building a new school. We are absolutely delighted that Ofsted has recognised the fruits of that hard work.

“The report captures the essence of our drive to prepare children for life – something we have been doing very successfully at St Luke’s for years.

“I am extremely grateful to the staff team for their hard work and determination; to the governors for their commitment and steer and to Islington Council for their trust in the federation and continual support to the school.”

The school is looking ahead to moving into an entirely new building at the end of the year, on the same site.

Mrs Dwulit added: “We are really looking forward to the opening of the new school in November. The future is very bright for the children and we are very motivated to continue to improve."

David Fosdick QC, chair of governors, said: “It has been a joy seeing Moreland being transformed into a top-quality school over the last few years. Its results are very strong and it has the highest ambitions for all the children.”

Mark Taylor, Islington Council’s director of learning and schools, said: “This is a well-deserved endorsement of the outstanding commitment to high standards shown by everyone at Moreland. Congratulations to all the staff, governors and parents who have made this happen.”