An Isle of Wight primary school has had its Ofsted rating bumped up after Covid delayed a re-inspection.
Ofsted inspectors visited Broadlea Primary School, in Lake, last month, and found improvements with the teaching and curriculum, awarding the school a ‘good’ rating.
Broadlea was last inspected in 2018 when inspectors rated the school as ‘requires improvement’.
Formal inspections paused
The next inspection of the school was delayed due to Covid as the watchdogs stopped formal inspections during the height of the pandemic.
The school’s resulting report has recently been published, with inspectors highlighting many positive aspects.
Pupils feel happy and safe
Inspectors said pupils enjoy school and have a positive attitude towards learning. They feel happy and safe.
Teachers and teaching assistants know pupils and their different needs well as they assess achievements carefully.
Challenging curriculum
The school’s curriculum, inspectors said, is challenging and builds on knowledge and skills. If it is not demanding enough, staff are quick to provide extra challenges in lessons.
Staff told inspectors they feel leaders care about their well-being and take account of their workload and work-life balance.
Freeley: An amazing journey of improvement
Sharon Freeley, Broadlea’s headteacher said, in a press release, it had been an amazing journey of improvement and she was delighted the hard work of staff, pupils and parents had been recognised.
She said,
“We are delighted Ofsted has recognised the strengths of the school and the leadership team, but we could not have made such significant and rapid changes without the support we have received from Hampshire Inspection and Advisory Service.”
Where improvements can still be made
However, Ofsted found two areas where the school could further improve.
Some subject leaders were ‘not fully confident’ in leading their curriculum areas. As a result, inspectors said, they do not always help teachers know when pupils are ready to move on in their learning.
In PE, leaders’ curriculum plans were less clear than in other subjects — it did not make clear what leaders want pupils to know, be able to do and by when.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
