Reaching high for the best for your child
Ofsted Says: 'Good Features, And Rapidly Getting Better!'
By Robert Staples, Headteacher - Friday, 14 March 2008
The full Ofsted Report was published to parents today, on the 14th March 2008.
We are really proud of what it says about our school. Essentially, the overall judgement of 'satisfactory with good features' confirms that we are getting the basics right, excelling in some areas, and that the school is set to go from strength to strength over the next few years. Indeed, in my conversations with the lead inspector during the Ofsted, she said that when Ofsted return in three years time, she was confident that they would see a 'good' school with outstanding features - it is just going to take a little more time to get there!
Here are some highlights:
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The new leadership team have been most successful in improving behaviour and pupils' attitudes to school so that they are ready to learn. |
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Many parents are impressed with the school and say how approachable the staff are. |
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Pupils enjoy their lessons and have excellent relationships with adults and other pupils. |
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Behaviour is good, both in lessons and around the school, giving rise to a calm, relaxed learning environment. |
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Pupils feel safe because they know they can easily approach an adult and they are confident their concerns will be dealt with swiftly. |
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The fluctuation [in test results] has reflected the turbulence in leadership and is now being tackled effectively. |
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Very good tracking systems, precise targets and improved teaching are leading to higher standards. |
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Pupils are making better progress than has been previously seen and there is good capacity to improve further. |
SO... WELL DONE, FAIRLANDS!!
I would also like to thank all of the parents that wrote in to express their views to the Ofsted inspectors. The lead inspector shared with me that she had the most replies to the survey that she has EVER had at a primary school of our size! AND you only had ONE day to respond because of the fire - amazing! 99% of the responses were extremely positive and this overwhelming support from parents was a key indicator of how well we are doing! THANK YOU!
There are, of course, things in the report that we still need to work on. But please rest assured - we are onto it!