An Isle of Wight primary school at the ‘heart’ of its local community has received good ratings in all inspection categories.
School inspectorate Ofsted awarded Barton Primary School the grades in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.
‘High expectations’ for pupils’ achievement and behaviour
The Newport school is said to have ‘high expectations’ for pupils’ achievement and behaviour, according to Ofsted’s most recent report.
After ‘disappointing’ results in a few subjects, Ofsted noted a determined effort to enhance the school’s curriculum and teaching which has resulted in positive achievements.
Children are described as ‘polite’ and ‘respectful’ though issues with concentration and attentiveness have been flagged in relation to a few pupils.
Praise for SEND provision
Particular areas singled out for praise include Barton’s ‘relevant’ and ‘accessible’ curriculum which provides clarity about what should be learnt and when, its support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and how reading is taught.
SEND pupils ‘achieve well’ and are correctly identified.
Reading is described as a ‘high priority’, with the school intervening rapidly to ensure improved outcomes.
Mathematics, attendance and school values are also highlighted as strengths.
How improvements could be made
Spelling out what the school could do to improve, the report said:
“There is variability in the way pupils learn how to read.
“This means that some pupils do not build the skills they need to become fluent readers as quickly as they should.
“The school must ensure all staff have the training they need to effectively teach all pupils to read.
“In some lessons, the expectations for behaviour are not high enough.
“This means that a few pupils are not fully attentive and, at times, affect the learning of others.
“The school should ensure that staff have consistently high behaviour expectations so all pupils have positive attitudes towards their learning.”
Barton’s previous Ofsted inspection reports have largely been ‘good’ over the last two decades.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
