A Children’s Centre in Southend has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the education watchdog, Ofsted.
Summercourt Children’s Centre, in Summercourt Road, Westcliff, received the brilliant result, judging it as outstanding across the board.
Lead Ofsted Inspector Mary Dudley said in her inspection report: “This happy, vibrant centre in the heart of the community provides excellent support to the families it serves. “The small enthusiastic staff team, led by a highly committed centre manager is supplemented by volunteers keen to put something back into the centre which they feel has given them so much.”
Summercourt’s Centre Manager, Gayla Rowling said: “The Summercourt team is delighted to have achieved such an amazing judgement from Ofsted. “Summercourt Children’s Centre is friendly and welcoming, and the fantastic team of staff, volunteers and partners works really hard to make a positive difference to families’ lives.”
The Centre, launched in 2007 in the grounds of Milton Hall Primary School and Nursery, caters for 537 children aged from birth to five. It is run by Milton Hall Primary School & Nursery and has continually received steadfast support by the Headteacher, governors and staff.
The Centre offers services ranging from baby weighing, to parenting, adult learning courses and outreach support in partnership with health, adult education services and Jobcentre Plus.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Councillor James Courtenay said: “We are extremely delighted with the outstanding inspection results for Summercourt Children’s Centre and this is confirmation of the commitment and dedication of all staff involved, as well as the integrated working approach delivered between the Centre, the school staff and the local authority teams. This is an excellent achievement.”
