LANSDOWNE Primary Academy in Tilbury, part of the Gateway Learning Community Trust [GLC], has been graded by Ofsted as a 'good school' in a recently published inspection report.

Members of the inspection team spent two days in the school talking to staff, pupils and parents as well as observing lessons and the day-to-day running of the school.

They concluded that 'Lansdowne pupils are attending and ever-improving school'. The lead inspector was at pains to praise the work of Head of School, Dan George, who was moved to Lansdowne in July, from within the Trust. 

Ofsted praised Mr George and his team saying that 'parents appreciate the support they and their children receive from dedicated, kind staff'.  

 The inspection report places a focus on the strong ethos across the school that is built on positive relationships at all levels: 'children are self-motivated and work keenly at the tasks adults provide and the ones they initiate themselves'.

The report goes on to praise pupils 'who are supportive of one another' with inspectors pointing out that 'it doesn't take long to find a pupil offering mature assistance, such as helping a peer find an answer instead of simply telling it to them'. 

The school's Early Years provision was judged separately as 'good' with inspectors clearly pleased with the progress all pupils make in these formative years. The report stated that 'children in the Early Years make sound progress because staff organise ambitious activities matched to their needs'. 'Children learn how to express themselves confidently. As such, there is a happy, focussed environment in each Nursery and Reception class. 

Mr George (pictured) was delighted about the outcome and commented that 'this inspection judgment is the result of the whole team coming together with a common aim to provide the best possible learning opportunities for every young person.

"I am pleased that inspectors praised our curriculum which we have always considered to be a strength across the GLC. I am also pleased that they praised the processes we have in place to continually help our teachers to 'improve upon their best'. 

 Viki Reid who will become the GLC's Chief Executive Officer in September said: "This report closely mirrors our own evaluation of the school and demonstrates the continuing success of the GLC across all five schools within the Trust. 

"I would like to take the opportunity to shine a light on Mr George who is an outstanding leader who, like us all at the GLC, know that young people across Tilbury and Chadwell are among the finest in the UK. "

Mrs Reid concluded by saying that 'we continue to build upon our strong foundations across the GLC, making further improvements where needed,as we embark on our journey to outstanding."