End of Summer Term 1998

On Friday 17th July1998, Grange Primary School's educational year came to an end, we finished for the summer on a high note, our year 6 children were moving on to Manor Comprehensive School, having grown in size and stature and developed educationally since they joined us.

We reflected on what had been a successful year, we were pleased with our government inspection results, much improvement had taken place materially, with the school buying lots of new furniture and equipment, and the friends of Grange Primary School demonstrating how effective a good parent / school liaison can be, not only by providing much needed new equipment but doing 'hands on'  work like making gym bags for every child in the school and even contributing towards the cost of improving school security. Our parents also help where it really matters - helping teachers in our classrooms.

Our site supervisor had done much to improve the decor of the school over the year too, with lots of bright, newly painted classrooms and corridors.

Our school mascot has also 'made good' being enlisted in the United States Navy and serving on the most powerful ship on the planet, the mighty aircraft carrier the USS John C Stennis. 'Hartley' as he is known, helped us in our learning and understanding of geography, map skills, maths and many other things including something which we were to need much of - teamwork.

That same Friday night, the Hartlepool Mail reported on our OFSTED inspection, telling our region that, amongst other good things, that we were reported as being a caring school.

Their newspaper article is reproduced here:

From the Hartlepool Mail, Friday, July 17th 1998

GLOWING
TRIBUTES
TO 'CARING
SCHOOL'

A PRIMARY school in Hartlepool has come in for special praise following an inspection by a government watchdog body.

Grange Primary School has won glowing tributes for its standards in a report just published by the Office For Standards in Education.

The office described the school on Owton Manor Lane as "a caring school with many good features" after inspecting it earlier this year as part of a national programme.

The Inspection team praised the school's smooth running, friendly atmosphere and its education attainment.

Headteacher Louise Conway is pleased with the report and said it reflects the progress the school is making.

"This is a good report with many positive aspects and demonstrates that the school is moving forward in the right direction."

"Like all schools, there is always room for improvement and we have a number of initiatives in place to move the school forward."

"The inspectors commented favourably with regard to the many recent improvements we have made to the learning environment for the staff and pupils at Grange School."

The inspection concluded that Grange School was a caring school with many good features adding "Pupils and parents have pride in the school.

"The atmosphere is friendly with appropriate regard to the personal developments and mutual respect.

"The school operates smoothly and efficiently in terms of budget management and control. The school is well led by a confident head teacher, supported by members of the senior management team.

"This provides good guidance and support for teachers and pupils and good value for money."

The report also praised the attainment levels of the school over the last three years where National Curriculum assessments in reading and mathematics were above average.

So, having seen so much development, it was with great pleasure that the school 'broke up' for the summer, everyone vowing to re-charge their batteries and continue moving 'onward and upward' in the next educational year.

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