Behaviour praised at 'friendly and nurturing' Leeds primary school - Ofsted report

The behaviour of pupils at a “friendly and nurturing” primary school in Leeds has been praised by Ofsted inspectors.

Middleton St Mary's CofE Primary School, located on Moor Flatts Road, Middleton, received a ‘Strong standard’ rating in one, and an ‘Expected standard’ rating in the remaining six categories during a June 2026 inspection.

Under Ofsted’s new scoring system, one-word grades have been replaced with a colour-coded “traffic light” report card, split into seven sub-categories: achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, early years, inclusion, and leadership and governance, personal development and wellbeing.

The school, previously rated as Good under the old grading system during a 2022 inspection, scored a ‘Strong standard’ for its attendance and behaviour.

“Pupils enjoy coming to this friendly and nurturing school,” the education watchdog said. “They feel safe and know that they are important. Pupils receive a warm welcome at the start of the day. They develop very positive relationships with staff.

“A positive culture of high expectations for pupils' behaviour is evident everywhere in the school. Pupils expect the highest standards of behaviour from each other. Leaders keep very detailed information about minor behaviour incidents.”

Everyone is focused on making sure pupils come to school every day, according to the report. Pupils' attendance is high, and attendance for disadvantaged pupils and for pupils who have other potential barriers to their learning has improved markedly.

Leaders continue to refine and improve the curriculum. Each subject is well planned. The curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to return to previously taught content so that they remember it.

They have carefully considered the needs of different pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Teachers make suitable changes to ensure that these pupils are able to learn successfully.

All leaders are focused on the fundamental importance of the early years. Leaders and governors have invested in the learning environment, resources and staffing to ensure that children have a high-quality experience that helps them to learn and develop well.

Focusing on areas of further improvement, inspectors added: “Leaders should embed the new handwriting curriculum across the school and ensure that pupils are forming letters accurately. They should ensure that pupils record their work to a high standard across all subjects, paying attention to handwriting and number formation where relevant.

“Leaders should ensure that, in the early years, staff consistently provide children with teaching that helps them to develop secure mathematical, reading and writing knowledge, and opportunities to practise applying this knowledge so that any gaps in their knowledge are addressed and children are fully prepared for Year 1.”

Staff at Middleton CofE Primary have carefully considered what knowledge pupils need to prepare them for future life, according to the report. They have drawn on this to “create a vision for pupils' personal development,” which takes account of pupils' own views.

The school has ensured that staff are well trained and “quick to identify pupils who have any barriers to their learning or wellbeing.” Leaders work well with other agencies to ensure that pupils who need additional support receive it promptly, and that this support is effective.

Leaders have a “very clear vision” for the school. Staff understand and share this vision, and feel supported and enthusiastic to enact it. They know where the school needs to improve further.

Headteacher Mrs Naomi Wood said: “We are absolutely delighted with the report. It reflects the commitment and hard work of the staff team and governors. Thank you parents for your support and to your wonderful children who were followed around school during the last two days and questioned.

“I feel very privileged to be the Headteacher of such a wonderful school and have such amazing children.”