Popular school club praised by Ofsted

A thriving after-school club has received its first ever outstanding Ofsted report.

Staff and children from Gilbert’s Gang at St Gilbert’s Primary School, Stamford, were thrilled to receive such praise following the inspection.

The club has been running for 20 years and hosts 32 children in the morning for breakfast and 64 after school for games, crafts, sports and other activities.

Inspector Judith Chinnery said: “Children display high levels of confidence and readily have a go at new
or more challenging
activities.

“They are proud of their school and club and really enjoy showing visitors around the activities and spaces that they use.

“Children display high levels of confidence and readily have a go at new or more challenging activities.They are very enthusiastic and immediately make their own plans and choices for what they want to do when they arrive in the club.

“They help themselves to their favourite activities and involve their friends in their games.”

The club is run by a number of teaching assistants from the school who were praised for the support they offer each other and how well they know the children and their individual interests and needs.

Manager Adele Pinto has run the club since 2011. She said: “I would like to thank everybody for all their hard work and support in helping us achieve this amazing result. This is the first time we have been outstanding.

“Everyone works so hard and it’s like one big family. Some of the children don’t want to go home!”