This small Stoke-on-Trent school, which the report cites has a ‘big heart’, impressed inspectors with its unwavering commitment to student success, safety, and well-being.

The report recognised the achievement of the school’s pupils who leave having made exceptional progress in all areas.

Ofsted also praised the school for making every effort to ensure pupils feel safe and for providing a calm, nurturing, and respectful environment. This atmosphere of mutual respect and kindness extends amongst pupils themselves, who were celebrated for their ‘exceptional’ behaviour.

Ofsted reported:

"Pupils achieve exceptionally well at this high-performing school. The curriculum is highly sophisticated. The school has thought intelligently about how it builds from Nursery up to Year 6. Intentional and purposeful links have been made across topics and across year groups. These deepen pupils’ knowledge leading to a rich level of learning and understanding. Pupils take great pride in their work and want to excel."

The school's ambition for its pupils is not confined to the classroom. The wide range of activities, experiences, and enrichment opportunities available, including junior leadership roles, were also highlighted.

"There are many opportunities for pupils’ personal development. This includes residential trips and other trips both near and far. They help pupils gain an understanding of the world in which they live and the part they can play in it. External visitors, as well as lessons in school, teach pupils about how they keep safe in their local community and beyond."

Executive Headteacher, Suzanne Oakes-Smith, said:

"I am incredibly proud to be the Executive Headteacher of this outstanding school community. The Ofsted judgement is a wonderful endorsement of the hard work, commitment, collaboration and ambition from everyone in our Glebe family including our truly amazing pupils and their families, staff, governors and trust colleagues.

“Glebe is a school built on a love of learning, high standards, respect for each other and an unwavering commitment that all of our pupils enjoy and succeed and this shines through in our inspection report."

Head of School, Kirsty Suleman, said:

"We are thrilled with the recent visit from Ofsted that reflects the outstanding provision that our pupils receive on a daily basis. 

"We are so proud of our pupils who achieve exceptionally well, take pride in their work and thrive in all aspects. We are certainly a school with a big heart and we value the support from our families along with the hard work and commitment from staff, Governors and Trust colleagues."

CEO of Co-op Academies Trust, Dr Chris Tomlinson, said:

"Co-op Academy Glebe exemplifies our core values of excellence and proves our commitment to providing an exceptional and nurturing education which allows all pupils to thrive. This Outstanding rating is richly deserved and reflects the positive impact the school has on its pupils’ lives and futures.

"We celebrate this remarkable achievement with the pupils, families, community and dedicated staff. Congratulations to Suzanne, Kirsty and the staff team who provide the community with quite simply a brilliant school. We look forward to continuing this journey of success."