A Sutton primary school where pupils “want to do well” has been given Ofsted's highest rating.

Inspectors visited Avenue Primary Academy on January 31 and the report was published on March 15.

Avenue Primary Academy received the highest 'outstanding' rating across all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision. 

Inspectors wrote in their report: “Pupils’ behaviour is exceptional across the school.

“This is because pupils have been taught how to behave and because they want to do well.”

They also praised the “warm working relationships” between adults and pupils that “permeate the school”.

Inspectors also praised the school’s program of pupils taking on positions of responsibility, which includes being an ambassador, well-being champions and reading champions, where pupils in Year 6 read to those in the years below.

Ofsted were impressed by the attendance levels of Avenue Primary Academy and said that leaders’ actions means that the “proportions of pupils who are persistently absent declines”.

Inspectors also wrote that reading is a priority at Avenue Primary Academy.

They said that “leaders are determined that all pupils learn to read confidently and fluently” and noted that children in the nursery listen “attentively and excitedly join in with repeated phrases”.

They saw how children are taught to read right from the start of reception and that pupils in Year 6 “enjoy being read to by their teachers because it takes them to a magical place”.

Avenue Primary Academy received credit for its “ambitious curriculum” and the way leaders have “strong subject knowledge”.

According to them, teachers explain concepts clearly and correct misconceptions quickly so that pupils understand content.

Inspectors also wrote: “The school makes sure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly so that they receive the help they need to access the curriculum and thrive.”

They said that staff have trained well to provide support and, as a result, the pupils with SEND achieve well.

Ofsted ended their report by talking about the school’s take on its pupils’ emotional wellbeing.

They were impressed by how pupils were taught how to “understand and regulate their feelings”.

They noted how leaders had thought carefully on how to help pupils with SEND “express their feelings” by having them carry “emotion cards to help pupils explain how they feel”.

Acting headteacher Claire Bignell and headteacher Lisa Hunt said: "Both the school and Trust (Cirrus Primary Academy Trust) were delighted to have the hard work and dedication of the whole school community recognised by Ofsted.

"We were proud that our culture, which enables everyone to be the best they can be, shone through."