School based in former crime hot spot awarded top marks

A SCHOOL at the centre of a community transformed by a multi-million pound regeneration project has received top marks from Government education watchdogs.

Hinderwell Primary School is in the former crime hot spot of Scarborough's Edgehill Estate. For decades the area was blighted by neighbours from hell, crime, and antisocial behaviour.

But in 1999 – through the Government's Single Regeneration Budget – Scarborough Council was awarded 4.5m for its Castle Pride Initiative to revitalise Scarborough's old town – 1.89m for the regeneration of Filey and 2.95m for the Falsgrave and Edgehill area.

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In its latest report on Hinderwell, Ofsted say the school is a calm and orderly place, highly valued by parents, where pupils are polite and well-mannered and staff "strongly uphold" values of respect and consideration for others.

Dedication to improving pupils' progress and raising standards means reading and writing results, are getting better year on year.

The school also promoted effective teaching by drawing on a pool of very talented teachers to act as role models for less experienced staff – boosting teaching quality overall.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development have also measured up while close working with parents and carers has seen increased attendance and a marked reduction in persistent absence.

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Hinderwell's Headteacher, Phil Snowdon, said yesterday:" I am very pleased with the positive comments made by the inspectors.

"I would like to say a big thank you to the staff and governors for all their hard work, the parents for their support and last but not least the pupils for being such fantastic ambassadors for the school".

North Yorkshire County councillor John Watson, Executive Member for Schools, added: "This is a very encouraging report and Hinderwell's staff and governors should be praised for the

many opportunities they provide for children in their learning

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and the high expectations they have of good and respectful behaviour.

"Staff members have worked very hard in partnership with parents and the local authority to raise standards for children in many areas."

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