Outstanding school gives pupils a chance to 'shine'

Maxwell, left, and Reilly, show some of their work - a short story about why they like their school

The head of a primary in an area of social deprivation said the school was improving the life-chances of pupils by focusing on improving their English and maths.

Mile Cross Primary School in Norwich opened in 2008 after the merger of Norman First School, Dowson Junior School and Mile Cross Middle School.

In 2016, 57% of pupils reached the expected standard of reading, writing and maths. The latest figures show this has now risen to 72%.

Head teacher Stuart Allen said working in partnership with the government's education watchdog Ofsted - which rates the primary as "outstanding" - had "helped us to grow".

Nine-year-old Reilly said: "I really enjoy it.

"It's not just great, it's perfect. Mile Cross School is the best school in Norwich and the best school you'll ever see."

Maxwell, 10, said: "With top-tier teachers and students, this school is amazing."

Mile Cross Primary School was built in 2008. It has a library and common area in its centre with classrooms leading off

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released figures showing one in four children in Norfolk do not meet the expected standard for reading by the time they leave primary school.

With writing and maths also included, the ONS said only half of children in the county were meeting the minimum standard.

By contrast, Mile Cross Primary posted figures stating almost three out of four children had achieved the standard for reading, writing and maths.

In its latest inspection report, Ofsted said: "Pupils are given every opportunity to shine at Mile Cross Primary.

"Pupils achieve well academically and have many other opportunities to excel.

"They develop into mature, confident young people."

Head teacher Stuart Allen says he has changed the school's ethos by rewarding good behaviour

Mr Allen added: "That work that we've done with Ofsted, it's a partnership... that's helped us to grow.

"You've heard it from the teachers, you've heard it from the children, they just love coming to the school.

"It's about creating an environment that's welcoming and inviting.

"In every classroom the children are working so hard, trying to better themselves."

He said he was trying to create a culture where pupils realised that by working hard they could "make something" of themselves.

The school has 456 pupils. It gets pupil premium funding of £1,552 for each child on free school meals.

That comes to £282,599.24, which is spent on additional staff, outdoor learning at a forest school, educational trips and rewards for 100% attendance and excellent work.

Norwich North Labour MP Alice Macdonald told the House of Commons it was a "shining beacon of what a local school can provide its residents".

She told BBC Radio Norfolk: "I managed to mention Mile Cross in Parliament following this excellent Ofsted verdict because I think it's really important to highlight success stories."

The MP said the school had a "real sense of community" with teachers, parents and Mile Cross residents working together.

English teacher Hannah Barrett says the children enjoy learning and good attendance, effort and behaviour is rewarded

English teacher Hannah Barrett said: "We create a lot of opportunities for the children.

"We make sure that they have lots of things they can do that they're interested in and we give them chances to write about what they want to write about."

She said the school organised "loads of trips", including an up-coming residential stay in London.