Hillside First School pupils feel safe and happy, and talk proudly of their school, according to the latest Ofsted inspection.

The community school has retained its grading as a ‘good’ school following the report, which was full of praise for the students, staff and leadership from the Initio Learning Trust, of which it is a part.

Inspectors said the school helps children to become ‘respectful, tolerant and responsible.’

It added that parents speak highly of the school and that they feel part of the community.

Headteacher Dave Graves: “We are fortunate to have great staff, and enthusiastic children and parents who combine to provide an excellent learning environment.

“The inspectors praised the emphasis on the curriculum being at the heart of the school and the aspiration for children to love reading.

“In the report it noted how we provide clubs including tennis, creative media, gardening and sports, and also that we go on trips and enter sports competitions. I’m pleased these extra-curricular activities were acknowledged.

“Since I became headteacher the aim has been to encourage children to believe in themselves, know that we believe in them too and to dream big and with hard work anything is possible.

“Above all else, we want our children to be happy, feel safe, make friends, do well academically and have the best possible start to their education, equipping them for the future. While the report is extremely welcome we will never stop trying to improve and always have children at the heart of everything we do.”

Liz West, chief executive officer of Initio Learning Trust, said: “This is another fine report for one of our schools and is a testament to the efforts of the staff and the children.

“The report notes that the Trust provides challenges and support to help drive the school forward, and that teachers appreciate the training provided.”

Hillside has just over 200 pupils aged between four and nine. It joined Wimborne Academy Trust in 2019, which became Initio Learning Trust last year.