'˜Super-Head' achieves top marks at Louth school

Kidgate Primary Academy is celebrating an '˜outstanding' achievement this week, after receiving top marks in their latest Ofsted inspection.
Head teacher Tracey Roberts with pupils at Kidgate Primary Academy.Head teacher Tracey Roberts with pupils at Kidgate Primary Academy.
Head teacher Tracey Roberts with pupils at Kidgate Primary Academy.

Ofsted’s report, published last week, praised ‘inspirational’ head teacher Tracey Roberts, who has turned the school’s fortunes around since taking on the role in 2011.

Before Ms Roberts took over, the 400-pupil school had been rated ‘satisfactory’, but by the end of 2012 it was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

Now, just four years later, the school (now an academy) has been rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas, including leadership and management, quality of teaching, personal development, behaviour and welfare, pupil outcomes, and early years provision.

Just two years ago, the school won an award from Schools Minister David Laws in 2014 for ensuring its disadvantaged children made the same progress as other children.

Before she started at Kidgate, Ms Roberts had led Littlecoates Primary School in Grimsby to ‘outstanding’ after it had initially required improvement.

And, at the end of the current academic year, the celebrated head teacher will be moving on to pastures new at Old Clee Primary Academy in Grimsby, where she hopes to continue her success.

Following last week’s Ofsted report, Ms Roberts told the Leader: “I am highly delighted that Ofsted have recognised the excellent work that has been done at Kidgate over the past few years.

“The school has seen many, much needed changes over the past four and a half years, which have allowed it to go from strength to strength and not coast or sit back on its laurels.”

Ms Roberts continued: “There are so many glowing aspects to this report that it is impossible to pick out highlights.

“However, we are thrilled that the report has truly captured and reflected our school precisely.

“Children do love coming to our school, we have created a culture where all children fit in.

“The emphasis we place on the care, consideration, compassion and interest of all pupils is exceptional.

“This enables them all to excel in their personal development; because of this, children then make exceptional academic progress.

“We simply won’t let one child slip through the net - and Ofsted recognised the hidden extra lengths we go to ensure all children are valued and empowered no matter what their background, circumstances or need, so that all flourish equally well.”

Ms Roberts concluded: “Working as a united team is a real strength of the school - it is a joy coming to work.

“We all just get on and work so well together. It is a great place to work and a fabulous place for children to get an outstanding start to their primary education.

“I will be sad to leave the team and pupils behind.”

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