Stay in the Loop

Bishop Rawle CE Primary School have been celebrating a positive report from their recent Ofsted inspection, receiving praise in many areas and being described as being a ‘welcoming and inclusive school community’.

A team of inspectors visited the school for two days, speaking with children, parents, staff and Trustees and spending time in the classrooms to observe children’s learning.

The report graded Bishop Rawle CE Primary at a ‘Strong Standard’ for ‘Personal Development and Wellbeing’ and also for ‘Early Years’ – a grading which has so far only been received by 25% of schools across the country.

The report highlights the ‘flying start’ that children make at Bishop Rawle CE from the moment they join in Reception, through to how pupils ‘leave the school as compassionate, informed and articulate individuals’.

Ofsted also report, ‘High quality interactions between adults and children support learning exceptionally well.’

The report added, ‘Leaders place personal development at the heart of the school’s work…Pupils also work closely with local organisations that support people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.’

Ofsted continued, ‘Pupils experience a rich range of opportunities that help them grow as thoughtful, articulate and responsible citizens…They are extremely well prepared for life in modern Britain and beyond.’

Pupil behaviour was also praised, ‘Behaviour across the school is calm and purposeful…in lessons, pupils are attentive and engaged…Pupils show respect for difference and demonstrate kindness towards one another.’

Headteacher and TMPF Trust School Improvement Leader, Lindsay Brayford, said, “We are delighted that the inspection team were able to see what a really special and lovely school we have here at Bishop Rawle, where the children are taught, cared for and supported by our talented staff team who are each very, very proud of all that the children achieve.

“During two very busy days, the inspectors observed a number of areas including, teaching and learning; leadership and governance; safeguarding; achievement; attendance and behaviour; curriculum; inclusion, and welcomed feedback from parents, carers and children. Their findings reflect the many positives that our lovely school offers to all of the children and families with whom we proud to work.

“There are so many comments within the report which celebrate the school, the children’s positive behaviour, children at Bishop Rawle CE Primary behave, how much they enjoy their learning and how what we do ‘helps to establish the school as an important part of the local community’.”

Head Girl, Isla (11), added, “I am proud to be one of the role models in our amazing school. I know that when the younger children come to us, they are sometimes shy, but as they get older it makes me happy to see how much and how quickly they settle in, as I know they are going to enjoy their years in our extraordinary school.

“Children and adults who have left the school are not forgotten – they always have a special place in the Bishop Rawle community.”

Toby (11), Head Boy of the school said, “I am really proud that at Bishop Rawle, we have the opportunity to learn lots of things inside and outside of the classroom, including our productions, school trips and much more.

“Everyone is equal in our school and everything is fair.

“The report made me feel happy and grateful that other people outside the school understand what a good school we are. Our teachers encourage us to excel throughout the years and we understand more about the world each day.”

This morning, we were delighted to welcome the Alzheimer’s Society to present an award to the school for receiving ‘Dementia Friends’ status.

During the assembly, the visitors talked to children about the important work of the organisation and handed-out badges for the pupils to proudly show their support of those with dementia.

The ‘Dementia Friends’ award builds upon Bishop Rawle CE’s ‘Dementia Friendly School’ award received in December 2025 from The Bishop of Lichfield and Lichfield Diocese Board of Education. Through this, school also organised and hosted a coffee morning for the community to raise awareness and identify ways in which we can support those within our Parish and community who are impacted-upon by dementia.

Speaking of the school’s commitment to raising awareness of dementia, Mrs Jo Hill, a senior teacher and school’s Dementia Friendly Lead, said, “It is amazing to receive both of these awards and it is so important to our families that we offer this support and understanding.

“We previously welcomed community members in for Dementia Friendly Coffee Morning which was really well attended and really well received. As a school family, we are delighted that this award continues to recognise our commitment to supporting families in our school and beyond who are living with dementia.”

On Friday 24th April, we were delighted to welcome parents and members of the community into school for our ‘Friends of Bishop Rawle’ Chocolate Bingo event.

A hall full of family and friends enjoyed being together for the evening in a bid to raise funds for the children, to have fun… and to try and take home armfuls of chocolate!

Thanks to all who donated prizes for the event and to the Friends of Bishop Rawle (our PTFA) for organising such an enjoyable event for the whole family.

Pupils from eight TMPF Trust schools came together in worship during the organisation's latest RE Retreat.

Held in Upper Tean in the Staffordshire Moorlands, pupils from Bishop Rawle C.E. Primary,  Dilhorne Endowed C.E. Primary, Great Wood Primary, Manifold C.E. Academy, St. John's C.E. First School, St. Werburgh's C.E. Primary, Talbot First and The Valley Primary worked collaboratively throughout the day-long event which has become an important part of the Trust calendar.

Co-ordinated by TMPF Trust RE and Collective Worship network, the event, staged in Great Wood Hall, featured a carousel of activities to allow children to share in Worship and to support one another in flourishing whilst on their journey of faith and spirituality.

More than one hundred pupils from TMPF Trust’s family of schools joined together to sing in harmony to an audience of thousands at the UK’s largest indoor music venue.

Young singers from five TMPF Trust schools (Bishop Rawle C.E. Primary, Dilhorne Endowed C.E. Primary, Great Wood Primary, St. Werburgh’s C.E. Primary and The Valley Primary) rehearsed for several months prior to being part of a combined choir of 9,000 children at the event staged at Manchester’s Coop Arena on 13th February.

The concert allowed the children and staff from the five schools to follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in entertainment and perform in the arena which holds in excess of 20,000 people.

TMPF Trust Music Leader, Mandi Whiteley commented, “What an amazing experience we had at Young Voices. The children have been working hard since September to learn the songs and that all paid off when we were singing our hearts out alongside thousands of others and with a fabulous live band.

"We threw our best moves with the dance group Urban Strides and sang a rousing chorus of ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ with the rising Manchester-born pop star Alex Spencer. It was a long day but absolutely worth it!"

Many children were lucky enough to have received exciting presents for Christmas which offer them access to the internet and the online world.

As part of our commitment to keeping children safe, prior to Christmas we sent a link to all parents/carers for parental guides to many of these devices, just to offer a little more insight into how they are used, and also how they could be a risk if not managed properly.

Over the course of the year, we will share information on different online platforms and devices, including the necessary age restrictions, so parents and carers can be informed and continue to support their children with ways to stay safe.

Click here to visit our page containing parental guides to keeping children safe online.

Children from Bishop Rawle C.E. Primary joined an Olympic medal-winning rower to open a new supermarket in the same town as their school.

Five pupils stood alongside Team GB's Emily Ford as she cut the ribbon to officially open the new Aldi store in Cheadle, Staffordshire Moorlands.

School were delighted to welcome Emily into school after the launch event to lead children in an assembly based around her story to the Olympics, to answer any questions and to show her Olympic Bronze medal won at Paris 2026.

Aldi also provided school with a number of bags of fruit and vegetables to share amongst the classes to help to promote healthy eating.