BOTH Appleby schools have been awarded a ‘good’ grade in their recent Ofsted inspections.

Appleby Primary School and Appleby Grammar School were graded at level two (good) out of four by inspectors when they visited both schools.

Inspector Brian Dower, who visited Appleby Primary School, said: “This is a good school. All groups with special educational needs and/or disabilities and the very few pupils from minority or ethnic backgrounds learn well in lessons and make good progress.”

He added: “Bullying is rare and pupils say that when it does occur it is dealt with quickly and effectively.”

However, he asked the school to ensure lessons get off to a quick start, teachers' explanations are not too lengthy and that time is given at the end of lessons for pupils to reflect on their learning.

Appleby Grammar School’s inspection - which also took place in June - focused on its citizenship lessons.

Ofsted inspector Janet Palmer praised the school’s wide ranging citizenship projects, which inlcude links with Appleby Horse Fair and South Africa but she also found that more work needed to be done on the way the curriculum is taught.

“The subject leader does not have sufficient dedicated time to carry out thorough monitoring and evaluation of the citizenship provision. Lesson observations do not take place. Insufficient time is available for team meetings and cross curricular provision is not monitored for teaching or learning or to ensure that the curriculum entitlement is being met,” she said.