OFSTED REPORT - JUNE 2019

GOOD IN ALL AREAS!

Pupils, staff and governors at Cledford Primary School are celebrating after they retained their ‘good school’ status during the recent ‘Ofsted’ inspection.  Elizabeth Stevens, HMI, praises the school’s‘nurturing and inclusive ethos’ and its values of ‘respect, responsibility and resilience: ‘pupils described how they learn to say ‘we can’t do it … yet’ when tackling challenges.  They learn to be resilient learners who persevere in order to succeed.’ 

Staff in the school were commended for providing ‘a warm and nurturing environment’ and for planning ‘engaging and exciting events to enthuse pupils and deepen their learning’. Relationships in the school were celebrated: ‘staff treat pupils with care and kindness.’

It was noted that ‘pupils show pride and care in their work’, that they ‘enjoy their learning and are keen to try their best to succeed’.  Behaviour in the school was judged to be good:  ‘teachers set high expectations for pupils’ behaviour in lessons, which helps pupils to make good progress and achieve well’. 

The governing board in the school received a highly positive report; described as ‘dedicated and knowledgeable,’ governors provide ‘a good balance of support and challenge for leaders’.

The inspectors asked the school to improve even further by: 

‘Embedding recent changes to the teaching of reasoning and problem-solving in maths’ 

Making sure that‘an even greater proportion of pupils are working at greater depth in their writing’

Ensuring that all subject leaders ‘know the strengths and weaknesses in the school of their area of responsibility’

‘I am proud to work with such a hard-working and talented team of staff and governors.  Our pupils presented themselves to inspectors the way they do every day – well mannered, keen to learn and fun!  We are all delighted that the report recognises the care and individual support given to learners and carers at Cledford by everyone on the team.  The nurturing, inclusive and resilient school described is exactly what we have aspired to be.’  Mrs J Booth, Federation Headteacher

Please click on the attached link for the Ofsted website:

https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/135567

OFSTED SHORT INSPECTION - NOVEMBER 2018

The school was subject to a short  (one day) inspection on 27th November 2018.  Mrs Denah Jones, a secondary maths specialist, visited the school;  she was accompanied by one of her majesty's inspectors (HMI) for quality assurance purposes.  

Following the inspection the school retained its current judgement of 'good', including an 'outstanding' grade for both behaviour and safety and for leadership. 

The inspector praised the school's values, pupil behaviour and relationships between pupils and staff.  Good leadership was noted, including safeguarding pupils and supporting as well as challenging staff.  

Parents described teaching and learning in the school as 'excellent' and expressed their appreciation  of the ‘holistic approach the school takes towards children’s wellbeing as well as academic progress’.

The inspector expressed her concern about pupil absence.   She praised the extensive work of leaders to encourage good attendance and to tackle persistent absentees but noted  that 'pupils’ attendance continues to be below the national average, and the proportion of pupils who are persistently absent, although reducing, is still above the national average'.  Ofsted have asked the school to make improving attendance a priority. 

The inspector noted a fall in the proportion of Y6 pupils meeting expected standard in 2018 and has asked the school to ensure that recent initiatives to improve standards in writing and maths are sustained so that all pupils achieve well.  She also asked the school to further develop the role of new subject leaders in the wider curriculum so that they 'have an even greater impact on improving teaching, learning and assessment in their subject area'.  Mrs Jones asked leaders to review the school's action plan so that targets are more measurable. 

You can read the full letter resulting from the short inspection here.