A KENTISH Town school is on the way up, say government inspectors. Carlton primary on Grafton Road has been commended by Ofsted for improving levels of education

Ben McPartland

A KENTISH Town school is on the way up, say government inspectors.

Carlton primary on Grafton Road has been commended by Ofsted for improving levels of education.

When they visited in January, inspectors were complimentary - despite only giving the school an overall rating of satisfactory.

Headteacher Jacquie Phelan said: "We are pleased inspectors were positive about the direction the school is taking and we know we have parents and pupils behind us supporting our aims and effective support from Camden Council.

"I am proud to say that the report is an endorsement of the hard work and commitment of the staff and governors at the school. "It also recognises the support of the parents and carers and the great impact it has on children's learning."

Ms Phelan, who has been in the job for a year, was personally praised in the report for her decisiveness. She added: "Plans are in place to raise achievement and we are already seeing positive results.

"Carlton is a great place to learn and I look forward to an even more successful future for the school. We will now be working with pupils, parents and carers, staff and governors to raise further pupils' achievement."

Inspectors acknowledged that Carlton was in an area of high deprivation, with nearly two-thirds of pupils eligible for free school dinners. The proportion of pupils at Carlton with learning difficulties and disabilities is also above average.

According to Ofsted, children make satisfactory progress at foundation stage because teachers work hard to overcome their challenging needs. And pupils' personal development and well being, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, are good.

Inspectors found pupils were happy and valued in the friendly and nurturing atmosphere and, as a result, attendance was improving.

The report also quoted a parent as saying: "I am proud to call my child a Carlton pupil."

Cllr Andrew Mennear, Camden Council's schools chief, said: "While there is still more work to do, this result shows Carlton is firmly on the right path to becoming an outstanding school.

ben.mcpartland@hamhigh.co.uk|