Retford: High quality education recognised at two local schools

Two Retford schools have been recognised for offering a high standard of teaching by a leading education charity.
Kate Brown and Helen Skelton with Professor Sonia BlandfordKate Brown and Helen Skelton with Professor Sonia Blandford
Kate Brown and Helen Skelton with Professor Sonia Blandford

Bracken Lane Primary and Nursery School and Retford Oaks Academy were endorsed during an education conference held by Achievement for All 3As.

Both schools received the Quality Mark Awards which recognises the excellent practice undertaken by the schools, which have been working with the charity to successfully improve progress in reading, writing and maths from vulnerable and disadvantaged children, and pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities.

The charity said Bracken Lane has worked tirelessly, determinedly and rigorously to bring progress and opportunities to children and families who have a very significant disadvantage.

Headteacher Kate Brown collected the school’s award along with Helen Skelton, special educational needs co-ordinator.

Mrs Brown said: “Achievement for All was a timely and strategic catalyst in further developing effective good practice throughout the school; increasing engagement in the learning process for all stakeholders and most importantly, building the confidence of parents to work successfully on shared goals, namely the achievement of their children.”

The inclusion department at Retford Oaks was praised as a leading light in their academy in their recent Ofsted, for the provision for and the outcomes of vulnerable pupils personally and socially as well as academically.

Headteacher Andy Tomkins said: “Standing still is not good enough – Achievement for All helped us with this.”

More 90 delegates from 70 schools across the region attended the conference. As well as heading Achievement for All 3As, Sonia Blandford is an advisor to governments in the UK and Europe.

She said: “Achievement for All has already had a profound impact on schools across the country improving results in reading, writing and maths for many of our most disadvantaged and vulnerable children, and for those with special education needs.”

“By joining the programme and working in partnership with the Achievement for All team, schools commit to a vision that all children can achieve. The Pupil Premium and Department for Education funding for Achievement for All provides the resource for schools of all sizes across all phases to participate in the ‘quiet revolution’ that is significantly improving the life chances of vulnerable and disadvantaged children.’