'Every individual is valued' - Delight for Shrewsbury primary school's new headteacher after Ofsted upgrade
The headteacher of a Shrewsbury primary school has expressed her delight at a glowing Ofsted report that recognised rapid improvement to earn an upgrade from 'requires improvement'.
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Wilfred Owen Primary School in Monkmoor was deemed to 'require improvement' by the education watchdog following an inspection during 2022. However, after the appointment of headteacher Karen Matthews last year, Empower Trust says the school has undergone a "remarkable transformation" under her leadership.
The school trust added that "significant improvements" have been driven by Ms Matthews and her team's dedication, alongside the support of the newly appointed CEO of Empower Trust, Carla Whelan.
And now inspectors have rated the school 'good' across the board after an inspection during November.
Inspectors praised the school for setting high expectations for pupils' achievement and said that the school has "acted quickly" to develop a broad and ambitious curriculum.
The Ofsted report added that the school is a "calm, nurturing environment" and that personal development is "at the heart of the school’s provision".
Ms Matthews expressed her gratitude to staff, students, and parents.
She said: "Our school is a place where every individual is valued, and this report reflects the passion and hard work of our entire community. We are proud to have personal development as the heartbeat of what we do."
The school's values of being a vibrant and inclusive community were also highlighted by inspectors who said pupils are "proud" of their school.
The report said: "This is a warm, welcoming school where everyone is valued and included. Pupils are happy and safe. They are thoughtful and kind to each other. This is because the school places a strong focus on pupils’ social and emotional well-being. The school’s motto of ‘ready, respectful and safe’ is at the heart of the highly effective pastoral support for pupils in its care."
Empower Trust CEO Carla Whelan added: "The school’s journey of improvement is a testament to the power of strong leadership and a united vision. Karen Matthews and her team have truly embodied our trust’s values, and I am excited to see what the future holds."
