A primary school in Delph has kept its 'good' grade from the education watchdog Ofsted.

Delph Primary School on Denshaw Road looks after more than 200 children aged between four and 11.

Once a school has been rated 'good', as the school was in 2018, Ofsted will then inspect the premises once every four years to check it is maintaining standards.

Ofsted inspector Steve Kirkpatrick visited the primary school in April this year and praised the provision in his recently published report.

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Mr Kirkpatrick found the students are "well looked after", feel happy and safe and have "strong respectful relationships" with staff.

They listen "attentively" in lessons, engage in the tasks they are asked to do, enjoy playing together and helping out around the school and report any issues, such as bullying, to staff who then deal with any incidents "effectively", the report continued.

As such, the pupils behave well in the school and most are "excited and engaged" with their learning.

Meanwhile, the staff expect everyone, including themselves and students, to "follow the Delph ways".

Teachers "present new information clearly", use a range of assessment strategies and "reshape their teaching" to better support students where learning might have been missed or misunderstood.

When it came to the curriculum, the inspector found pupils are expected to do their best and, as a result, they achieve well and leave "well prepared" for secondary school.

Reading is a high priority at Delph Primary across all age groups, the report further revealed, as the inspector found staff are "well trained" to teach the youngsters how to develop their early reading knowledge.

Children in pre-school and reception share books together and sing nursery rhymes while those in key stage 1 "progress well" through the phonics programme.

This structure "helps pupils to grow in confidence as readers" and encourages fluent readers to think more deeply.

Beyond the curriculum, Mr Kirkpatrick said the students have a variety of extracurricular activities to take part in, such as spelling bees and choral competitions, while they help one another with their learning and reading skills.

"The brass band can often be heard playing around the village, entertaining the local community", the inspector wrote.

"Pupils take their responsibilities seriously and choose good causes to support", he added, pointing to the way in which the school raises money for local and international charities.

In addition, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported accurately and benefit from adapted lessons while safeguarding measures were found to be effective.

Staff further told the inspector that they feel "valued and supported" by leaders.

"There is a strong team ethos throughout the school", he wrote.

However, while leaders were praised for their careful consideration of the subjects taught, the watchdog said some changes to the curriculum are "still very new" and some staff are still grappling with teaching different content.

"Leaders are not aware how well teachers are fairing in teaching new content or if the new ways of working are helping to secure pupils' knowledge", the inspector said.

Some disadvantaged pupils were also highlighted in the report for missing valuable learning time compared to the rest of pupils who generally attend school regularly.

To improve further, Mr Kirkpatrick said leaders should ensure that they review the curriculum change, support staff to deliver the new content as intended and ensure all pupils attend school regularly.

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