Culloden Primary in Poplar gets Ofsted OK in first inspection since switching to academy

A school has been given a ‘thumbs up’ by Ofsted in London’s East End after its first inspection since quitting Tower Hamlets council control to switch to ‘academy’ status.

Poplar’s 600-pupil Culloden Primary has been judged ‘outstanding’ by Oftsed inspectors who looked in at lessons in the classroom and talked to staff and pupils in June and beginning of July.

The academy “goes the extra mile” to provide education for all its pupils, Ofsted concluded.

The school in Dee Street, Poplar, achieved praise for its leadership and management, as well as behaviour and safety of pupils, quality of teaching, pupil achievement and Early Years provision.

“Ofsted’s report is the product of a huge amount of hard work and dedication at the school,” executive principal Amanda Phillips said. “We’ll continue making sure all our pupils receive the education they deserve.”

Culloden Primary was taken over by Paradigm education trust in 2013. It is one of three Tower Hamlets schools run by the trust, which include Old Ford Primary and Stepney’s Solebay Primary.

A trust spokesman praising the executive principal following the Ofted report said: “She’s an experienced leader renowned for her tireless work in raising the achievement of pupils, often in challenging circumstances.

“Her work as a national leader for education brings her into contact with educational settings and organisations across the country.”

Amanda Phillips received a CBE in the 2015 New Year Honours “for services to education”.

Among her current projects is an expansion of Solebay Primary, which opens a new nursery class in September. Parents of children born between September 1, 2011, and August 31, 2012, are being invited to apply for places on 020-8980 2414.