School’s improvement impressing inspectors

blackmorevaleApril 20, 20210 Comment0

A village primary school has impressed Ofsted inspectors with its improvements after a couple of less than sparkling reports. 

St Gregory’s in Marnhull, known as St Greg’s, had been given a ‘requires improvement’ grade twice in succession, with the latest issued in February 2019. But on a third inspection – carried out virtually during lockdown – Ofsted acknowledged much is being done to improve standards, with praise for the ‘effective action’ being taken by the leadership team. The school has 103 pupils on roll and capacity for 168.

Its previous report marked overall effectiveness, effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment and outcomes for pupils as ‘requires improvement’. Personal development, behaviour and welfare and early years provision were deemed ‘good’.

Now leaders and governors are being urged to ‘take further action to ensure that curriculum plans for the foundation subjects are adapted to ensure pupils’ progress across the school’s mixed-aged classes’. Since the last inspection, three governors have joined the school, including a new safeguarding governor, says Ofsted. At the time of the virtual inspection, about 65% of pupils were being educated at home. Around 80% of all vulnerable pupils and those with special educational and/or disabilities (SEND) were on site.

Inspector Dale Burr told headteacher Debbie Field his team had looked at feedback from parents, spoken to teachers and governors and viewed pupils’ work and felt staff were now empowered to make the changes necessary.

He said: “Since the last inspection, you have rightly focused on empowering staff to become effective subject leaders. They have taken part in high-quality training. Staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to lead their subjects well. This is particularly the case in English and mathematics.”

He added: “In January 2021, you acted quickly to revamp your remote education offer following feedback from parents.”

He added: “The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) provides effective support for pupils with SEND. This has improved since the last inspection. Well-trained staff support pupils pastorally and academically. The SENCo has detailed and precise plans. Her work with teachers is ensuring there is effective provision for pupils with additional needs.”

You can read the full letter on Ofsted’s website.