Ofsted check finds school is making more progress
A school is continuing
to make progress since it was placed into special measures over a
year ago.
The latest Ofsted report into
Richmond Primary, Nursery Close, Sheerness, found the quality of
teaching is getting better, but pupils are still not doing well
enough in English and maths.
In October 2011, inspectors
ordered the school to make urgent changes and identified areas
which needed to improve.
It was announced at the same
time that head teacher Marian Smith had left.
The third check since then
was carried out from December 4 to 5, visiting 13 lessons and six
short visits to classes.
Inspectors reported that
pupils are still not achieving as well as they should in reading,
writing and mathematics, and rated their attainment in those areas
as inadequate.
Progress in the quality of
teaching – one of the areas identified in the October 2011
inspection – was rated as satisfactory.
Other findings included that
attendance has improved and is now at the national average, and
that incidents of poor behaviour are much reduced, and "the high
number of exclusions seen over past years have plummeted to
zero".
Immediate action to make sure
children are safeguarded has been completed and a ban was placed on
newly qualified teachers being appointed.
In June 2012, Kent County
Council contracted Lilac Sky Schools to manage Richmond and provide
training for staff. New principal Annie Donaldson was also
appointed.
According to the report, the
company has "significantly enhanced the quality of leadership and
management" and Ms Donaldson’s "enthusiasm and her positive
attitude are infectious".
It also found that staff and
pupils are signing up to the idea of a ‘Richmond Team’.
Ms Donaldson said: "I am
delighted with the progress we are making and what I am really
pleased about is that the school has really pulled together as a
team.
"There has been particular
improvement in behaviour. We have been working closely with
parents, which is really important."
She added that she was also pleased the report picked out
the work of the management team and her enthusiasm and positive
attitude.
Good rating wins praise for
staff
The head teacher of Minster
Primary has praised her staff and children for the school’s Ofsted
results.
It has gained a good rating
following its previous satisfactory grading after an inspection in
early December.
The report found that bullying
is rare and pupils feel safe, attendance has improved and
children’s behaviour is consistently good.
It found the school is not yet
outstanding because, although the quality of teaching is good, it
has some inconsistencies, a small proportion of children, often
girls, do not make the same good progress in maths as boys and the
governing body does not gather enough evidence of its
own.
The school has a bright and
vibrant atmosphere which pupils find attractive.
Head teacher Debbie Wheeler said the school, in Brecon
Chase, is well on its way to becoming outstanding: "I am very proud
of our children. It is a testament to the hard work of pupils,
teachers and all staff.
"Over the past two and a half years Minster Primary has
undergone a radical transformation with every staff member fully
committed to ensuring every child achieves.
"We are a good school and it is great for that to be
endorsed by Ofsted."
04/01/13
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