Recent Ofsted Inspection Report - 21st February 2007

I am pleased to tell you that our Ofsted Report is now available to you. You may request a copy of the full report from the school office or view the report on the Ofsted web site at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/ within 3 weeks of publication.

We are delighted that Ofsted have said that we are “a good school”.  

We thank you for the support you gave us in expressing your views about our school. You told Ofsted that you really appreciate how well your children are cared for and how closely we work with you. You commented, for example, that the school is like “one big happy family”. Many of you said that you value the “warmth and care exhibited” and that “there is a safe environment” for your children to progress “with confidence”. You also commented positively on your children’s enthusiasm for school.

Ofsted said you are “right” to feel this way.

Ofsted also said that “all pupils are valued” and “well prepared for the next stage of their education”.

When commenting on Achievements and Standards, they say our pupil’s achievement is good and standards are above average. Our Reception pupils get off to a good start and, whilst most pupils in Reception are on course to reach the goals expected for their age, many are likely to exceed them. The current standards are securely above average in reading, writing and mathematics in year 2. Many pupils are working at a level above that expected for their age showing that we are effective in challenging our more capable pupils. Pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities including those in our Speech and Language Resource Base and children for whom English is an additional language make good progress.

Ofsted say that our teachers create a positive atmosphere for learning also our good teaching is the main reason for pupils doing well academically and that activities and support are closely matched to the needs of the children. Our teachers have high expectations of the standards which pupils are capable of achieving. Our teaching assistants and Speech and Language Resource Base staff are skilful at giving focused support to individuals and small groups.

Ofsted say that our Reception pupils have a good range of purposeful learning opportunities and that there is the right balance between adult led activities and those chosen by the pupils themselves. In years 1 and 2 good attention is given to English and Mathematics and connections are made with other subjects. Educational visits stimulate learning.

Ofsted think that the care, guidance and support we offer our pupils are good. We are scrupulous in providing a clean and safe environment for them and our Child Protection procedures are robust. They say the school seeks and listens to pupils views. Academic guidance is good and pupils are clear about what they need to do to improve their work which contributes to their good progress. Good marking helps pupils to develop the ability to evaluate their own learning.

Ofsted say that you, the parents and carers, sum up the quality of leadership in the school when you observe, for example, that “every member of staff from the caretaker to the head is highly professional”. They say that the headteacher and assistant headteacher work effectively as a team to provide a clear educational direction for the school. They also say that they provide good examples to other staff in their commitment to pupils’ personal and academic achievement. Ofsted feel that as a result there is good teamwork and a shared commitment to improvement.

Ofsted say that the self evaluation undertaken by the school is “accurate and effective”. (This means that the school had already identified its strengths and the majority of the areas for improvement itself.)

Ofsted say “effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection”. They now want us to focus on increasing opportunities for pupils to take initiative and responsibility in lessons and to contribute to the school community. We shall continue to develop the use of ICT within the curriculum by purchasing additional resources, as budgets allow, and ensuring that suitable opportunities for use are planned into lessons. We shall further develop opportunities for pupils to work creatively and display their work and we shall continue to develop the interactive nature of our classrooms.

Ofsted think that good leadership and management have resulted in the school developing well in recent years. They acknowledge that the headteacher, staff and governors are committed to doing their best for pupils and they feel that there is good capacity for the school to become even more effective.

Ofsted heard from our pupils that most of them “enjoy coming to school a lot” and said that “no wonder attendance is above average”. They also said that our children exhibit “good behaviour” and “develop positive relationships”.

As a school we value the very important partnership we have with you and acknowledge your role in all of this. I, together with the staff and governors, extend our sincere thanks for all your support and encouragement.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Judith Brook
Headteacher