Further to our report on Friday morning, this in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Gatten and Lake Primary School in Shanklin has expressed its delight at being rated ‘good’ following its latest Ofsted Inspection.
The news of its latest rating represents a remarkable turnaround for the school that was placed in special measures just 17 months ago. In that time, it has not only come out of special measures, it has leapfrogged the ‘requires improvement’ category to achieve its current ‘good’ rating.
“Overjoyed with the latest report”
Chairman of Governors Patrick Legg said:
“I am overjoyed with the latest report from the Ofsted inspection. It is purely down to the efforts and hard work from all the staff at Gatten and Lake that this latest inspection is so positive.
“Everyone should be very proud of their achievements, and parents should be happy in the knowledge that their children are going to a good school, which has a very bright future.”
Following a two-day visit earlier this month, inspectors found the school to have changed ‘enormously’ with all aspects of its work – achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management – improved and now good.
Better attitude to learning
Besides seeing an improvement in pupil behaviour, Ofsted also found children now had a better attitude to learning. Classrooms were calm and very purposeful while pupils enjoyed school, felt safe and were polite and friendly working well together and able to concentrate for long periods of times.
Ofsted recognised that the improvement had been rapid and said this was the result of the high expectations, strong leadership and clear direction of headteacher Margaret Henshaw who had also built the skills and leadership of other leaders
“Improving teaching has, rightly, been the top priority for senior leaders and members for the governing body. The teachers have been expected to teach well and helped to do so. Teaching is now typically good,”
Ofsted stated as a key finding of its report published today.
It added:
“Pupils make good progress. Most are working at levels close to those typically seen in most schools. Pupils in Year 6 lost ground when they were younger but they are now catching up quickly.”
Report rewards determination of staff, governors and parents
Mrs Henshaw welcomed the report and said it rewarded the determination of staff, governors and parents to turn the school around as swiftly as possible.
“The improvement is the result of lots of hard work but not hard work alone. It has also been about making sure that hard work has been focussed in the right areas and on the right priorities.
“Our task now is to continue this improvement and to strive towards becoming an outstanding school. It is a busy time for us as we are preparing to move into a brand new school but this Ofsted inspection will give us all a lift as we embark on the new and exciting chapter in the story of Gatten and Lake .”
IW Council cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Richard Priest, a former Gatten and Lake pupil, said the progress made at the school should serve as an encouragement to other schools requiring improvement
“This success shows just what can be achieved in everyone pulls together in the right direction. If this sort of determination to improve can be replicated across the Island then we will soon begin to reach the overall rise in standards that we all want to see across the Island.”
Partnership with Hampshire County Council
Councillor Priest said he was pleased Ofsted has recognised the role played by the IW Council in commissioning two advisors from Hampshire County Council whose work with the school had been valuable.
“We have just made a formal decision to enter into a partnership with Hampshire County Council to help us raise educational standards and improve child protection on the Island . This Ofsted report therefore gives me even greater confidence that we have made the right decision.
“I would also like to say how impressed I have been with the determined efforts of all those who have contributed to the dramatic improvement at Gatten and Lake which is as swift as it is welcome.”
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
