New Huddersfield headteacher hails school 'buzz' after Ofsted special measures update

A new headteacher says there's a 'fantastic buzz' around the school as he welcomed an update from education watchdog Ofsted.

James Roberts, who was appointed head of Huddersfield's Linthwaite Clough Junior, Infants and Early Years Unit in September, was responding to a monitoring inspection carried out in October, a year after the school was placed in 'special measures' and rated inadequate.

In a letter to Mr Roberts this month, Ofsted inspector Sarah Gordon said leaders had made progress to improve the school, but more work is needed to no longer be judged as needing special measures.

READ MORE: Huddersfield bank health and safety fears as new building plans submitted

READ MORE: Big queues out the door as Huddersfield opens new shop

Ofsted said: "You have brought clarity and direction about what the school needs to do next, which is appreciated by staff and the majority of parents. Staff are fully committed and dedicated to making improvements for pupils at the school."

The curriculum has undergone significant change with a 'strong start' to improving it.

"You have acted decisively to ensure it is carefully planned and sequenced across all subject areas. Although the implementation of the curriculum is at its early stages in some subjects, you have ensured that it is ambitious and well thought through.

"You have identified and made clear to teachers what you expect pupils to learn from the early years to Year 6. You recognise that these plans have been introduced recently so the impact on pupils’ learning is very limited.

"However, during the inspection, I was able to see early evidence of the positive impact of the curriculum on teachers’ confidence and subject knowledge. Pupils also spoke confidently, using the subject knowledge they have gained, to explain their geographical and scientific understanding."

Ofsted noted that a new behaviour policy had been brought in, and expectations for behaviour "have rightly been raised." Staff and pupils at Linthwaite school said behaviour had improved, and pupils said they were proud to ear their new school uniform.

Ofsted noted there was a "calm and purposeful atmosphere in school" and attendance was showing signs of improving. Safeguarding was said to be effective.

The letter added: "You have successfully prioritised this to strengthen safeguarding procedures at the school and you have urgently addressed any previous safeguarding concerns. There is a rigour around the reporting of safeguarding and clear oversight of any concerns from school leaders. Any concerns raised are acted on swiftly."

Ofsted also noted that in classrooms, some improvements in the quality of teaching were evident. "However, there is further work for the school to do to sharpen its attention on supporting those pupils most at risk of falling behind their peers."

Mr Roberts told Yorkshire Live: "Since the previous inspection, we've been laser-focussed on making real, meaningful improvements across our curriculum, teaching, and school environment, building on the strengths and ethos of the school.

"Working closely with the Together Learning Trust and our Interim Executive Board, we've built a powerful collaborative approach to school improvement. Our school community has a fantastic buzz and everyone's pulling together, so we're thrilled that Ofsted has recognised the progress we have seen ourselves.

"We're creating a learning environment where every child can thrive – helping them build confidence, spark their curiosity, and fall in love with learning.

"Our journey is still ongoing, but we're already seeing some brilliant changes that we know will make a huge difference to our pupils' education and future chances. Our commitment stays strong: to be a nurturing, ambitious school where every child is supported to be bold, brave, and brilliant!"

Get all the latest and breaking Huddersfield news straight to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here.