Moira Primary School has been praised by Ofsted for making improvements over the last two years.

The Blackfordby Lane-based school's last inspection was in October 2022 - when Ofsted reported it 'requires improvement'.

But when inspectors returned in early January, they rated the school as 'good' across the quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management; and early years provision.

Ofsted describes the school as 'warm, welcoming and inclusive'.

The report says: "Staff go to great lengths to care for pupils. They model kindness and respect. Pupils appreciate that the adults in school keep them safe. They love their school. 

"They say, 'It's fun' and 'There is lots of laughter.' Parents and carers are also full of praise for the school. One parent, whose comment was typical of many, said: 'My children feel like they belong to a family at Moira.' The school has established a culture of high expectations for all. 

"The school's vision that pupils will be healthy, kind, curious, adventurous and creative is well on its way to being fully realised. 

"Pupils are friendly and polite. The school is a purposeful and calm place in which to learn and play. Pupils benefit from all that the school has to offer. 

"They have lots of opportunities to take on positions of responsibility, such as reading champions, behaviour buddies or representing their peers on the school council. Pupils enjoy trips that bring learning to life."

Ofsted says the school has taken on board the observations from 2022.

It adds: "Since the last inspection, the school has worked with determination to make significant improvements to the curriculum. 

"The curriculum is now broad and ambitious. The key knowledge that pupils learn is precisely identified. The curriculum is designed with care, so that pupils' knowledge and understanding deepen over time. 

"This begins in the early years, where children gain a firm foundation for later learning. For example, in geography, pupils study themes such as place, physical and human processes and environmental impact. 

"By the time pupils reach Year 6, the work in their books demonstrates that they have a clear understanding of complex geographical concepts, such as virtual water, rare earth elements and waste management. The school ensures that all pupils access the curriculum. 

"No time is wasted in identifying pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Each pupil with SEND has carefully considered targets and strategies that staff use to support their learning. This helps pupils with SEND to overcome barriers to learning and means they progress through the curriculum in the same way as their peers. 

"Teaching staff deliver the curriculum effectively. They follow agreed lesson structures that help pupils to remember the intended learning. 

"Lessons begin with a check to make sure that pupils remember prior learning. Staff present new concepts clearly and ask questions to reinforce the learning. The tasks provided are purposeful and well-matched to the intent of the curriculum. 

"Reading is at the heart of the school's work. Phonics is taught by expert staff. Children in the early years learn the foundations of early reading. Pupils continue to make good progress through the phonics programme as they move into Year 1. Staff carefully identify pupils who struggle to keep up. These pupils receive effective extra help."