Hat-trick of teaching successes for Lilycroft Nursery School, Bradford (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Inspectors praise teachers' outstanding language skills

7:00am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Claire Armstrong, T&A Reporter

A Bradford nursery school is celebrating a hat-trick after being given its third outstanding report in a row.

Lilycroft Nursery School has been given top marks by schools watchdog Ofsted following its latest inspection.

The school, in Lilycroft Road, Manningham, was particularly praised for the way bilingual teachers taught English to children who had been brought up speaking a language such as Punjabi at home.

The inspectors’ report said: “The high proportion of children who speak English as an additional language make great strides in all areas of learning. This is often because adults skilfully balance the use of children’s home language and English in their teaching.”

The report said staff at the Bradford Council-run school made extremely good use of their skills by questioning children in their home language and then showing them how to respond in English.

It said: “Children start school with knowledge and skills which are generally well below those typically expected for their age.

“Children of all abilities make outstanding progress during their time in the nursery school and leave to enter the reception classes with levels that are often those typically expected for their age and occasionally higher.

“Children who are learning to speak English as an additional language also make excellent progress. The very strong focus on children’s speaking skills, which has improved since the last inspection, leads to rapid gains in children’s early communication skills, including reading and writing.”

Executive head teacher Anne-Marie Merifield, who only started at the nursery six weeks ago, praised her predecessor, retiring head teacher Sally Jackson, and said it was a testament to the staff that her good work had continued.

She said: “We are delighted with this glowing report as it reflects how we see the school.

“This is a whole school and community achievement of which we are all very proud.”

Councillor Ralph Berry, the council’s executive member for children and young people’s services, said: “This is great news for Lilycroft Nursery School and the community. Everyone involved should be exceptionally proud of such an achievement.”

The nursery school, for children aged three to five, was first judged to be outstanding in December 2006.