Town school on the up
by Hayley Robinson
A town school, previously found by Ofsted to be
satisfactory, has achieved a “good” rating.
The news has been a welcome boost for staff and pupils at
Canterbury Road primary, who have worked hard to improve since its
last inspection in March 2010.
A summary of key findings in the latest report says: “Teaching
is good. Some is outstanding. Lesson activities are well matched to
pupils’ different abilities, and teachers work well with teaching
assistants to ensure all pupils are fully involved and make good
progress.
“Consequently, pupils achieve well overall by the time they
leave the school.
“Leaders and managers have successfully improved teaching and
pupils’ achievement and well-being since the previous
inspection.
“The curriculum enables all pupils to achieve well and provides
them with memorable experiences, which strongly promote their
spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.”
The new style of report also sets out why the school is not yet
outstanding, saying: “A small minority of teaching, and
consequently pupils’ progress, is uneven.
"It is best in Years 3 to 6, especially in reading and
mathematics, but has been less effective in raising pupils’
attainment in writing in Reception, and Years 1 and 2.
“Some teachers do not always focus strongly enough on ensuring
that pupils pay sufficient attention to accuracy in spelling or
give pupils sufficiently detailed written information to enable
them to improve their work.
“Not all middle and subject leaders monitor the quality of
pupils’ work regularly or rigorously enough.”
To improve further, three recommendations have been to the
school.
They are: Raise the levels of pupils’ attainment, especially in
writing, by ensuring they make faster progress in Reception and in
Years 1 and 2;
Increase the proportion of outstanding teaching by ensuring that
all teachers consistently focus more closely on the accuracy of
pupils’ spelling, give pupils sufficiently detailed information
about how to improve their work, and encourage pupils to respond to
teachers’ written comments.
And to ensure that all middle and subject leaders regularly and
rigorously monitor the quality of pupils’ work.
To mark the occasion, the school was visited by Kent County
Council chairman Richard King and cabinet member for education,
Cllr Mike Whiting.
Head teacher Zoe King said: “The governors and I are delighted
that the staff’s commitment and hard work towards the children has
been recognised by Ofsted.
“We are very pleased that Ofsted acknowledged the excellent
behaviour and co-operation of our pupils and how much they enjoy
their learning.
“Children benefit from teaching which is always good and so make
excellent progress and attain very well, usually above that of
pupils nationally.
“The teachers and teaching assistants’ expertise, our strong
ethos of happiness and hard work and our concern and interest in
each child makes Canterbury Road a very special place and I am so
proud to be its head teacher.”
To see the full report visit www.ofsted.gov.uk
12/11/12
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