A PRIMARY school near Oswestry has received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted, after its recent inspection.

Morda C of E Primary School was described as a ‘small school with a big heart’ by lead inspector Johanne Clifton, and inspector Mike Cladingbowl.

The report highlights the school’s progress since the last report in 2019, when inspectors deemed the primary to need some improvement.

Co-headteachers Helen Chapman and John Eglin said they welcomed the news.

But they also highlighted the death of headteacher Ruth Perry earlier this year and the "prolonged stress" on staff while awaiting the inspection.

Mrs Perry, a headteacher in Berkshire, took her own life in January while awaiting a downgrade of her school following an inspection.

Mrs Chapman and Mr Elgin said: “This [inspection] is welcome news and the culmination of a great deal of hard work and dedication.

“The recent tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry following a negative Ofsted report has highlighted the immense and prolonged stress on staff.

“It is a great relief to be free of that pressure for a while.”

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They added: “Ofsted saw Morda as we do – ‘a small school with a big heart’.

“We are so proud that the hard work and creativity of the children, staff and whole school community has been recognised.” 

Some improvement points were left after the inspection, to make the school an even more efficient learning space.

The inspectors concluded that: “Some subject leaders have had limited time to carry out their roles effectively.

“This means that they have not checked that the implementation of the curriculum in their subjects is consistent in all classes.

“Leaders need to ensure that subject leaders get the time and support they need to fulfil their roles effectively.”

They also added that: “Teachers do not always have high enough expectations for handwriting and presentation.

“They do not consistently address errors in punctuation and spelling.

“Leaders need to make sure that teachers have consistently high expectations for handwriting, presentation and spelling in all subjects.”

Although a couple of notes of improvement have been passed to the school, they overall scored a ‘good’ rating in all categories.

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“Pupils love to learn – this is because leaders have made sure that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), have access to a broad, rich curriculum” the inspectors wrote in the report.

Morda CE Primary School was rated good in all categories for the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. 

The report also highlights the school’s excellent pastoral support: "Pupils’ wellbeing is at the heart of this school and staff make sure that pupils have everything they need to thrive"