Pencils:

Ofsted rates primary school as Good

Ofsted have today released the latest inspection report for St Helens Primary School.

Following an inspection last month, officers found the school to be ‘Good’ in all areas

They highlight why the school is ‘Good’.

  • Children have a good start to school life in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
  • At whatever level they start, the vast majority of pupils do well and make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics.
  • Pupils’ behaviour is good owing to the importance the school places on fostering good relationships.
  • Pupils say, and their parents and carers agree, that they feel safe in the school.
  • Leaders and managers, including governors, have a direct impact on the quality of teaching and learning together with pupils’ achievement.
  • Teaching is good overall and some is outstanding. Teachers ask searching questions to check pupils’ understanding, maintain their interest and make them think hard.
  • Attendance is improving year on year and is now average.
  • Pupils say that the advantage of their small school is that every pupil is well known.
  • The range of subjects pupils learn is planned around projects that are exciting, practical and enjoyable.
  • The spiritual, moral, social and cultural education of pupils is a strength of the school.

Where improvements can be made
Ofsted say it is not yet an outstanding school because:

  • Pupils know how well they have done because work is marked effectively but they do not always know the next steps in their learning in mathematics as written feedback is not always clear about how they can improve.
  • Subject leaders have not yet had the chance to develop all the skills they need to bring about improvements and raise achievement.

Full details of the inspection can be found in the report embedded below


Image: Oteo under CC BY 2.0