The main school (including childcare and clubs), Nursery and ARP were inspected by Ofsted on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The inspection report is likely to be published in the first half of the summer term.

 

The school was inspected against Ofsted’s framework, introduced in September 2019. The summary judgement words remain the same but the criteria for each judgement are new compared to our last inspection. The judgement of ‘outstanding’ is even more challenging than before with an emphasis on being ‘exceptional’. Ofsted says that this is the most research-based inspection framework ever. Some people in the education sector think it is the most holistic yet challenging framework too.

 

His Majesty’s Inspector, Phil Garnham, led the inspection. He was joined by Ofsted Inspector, Jeff Coles for the first day. Ofsted’s ‘deep-dive’ approach uses sampling to draw overall conclusions. The inspectors completed deep-dives in early reading (including phonics), mathematics, music and history. They talked to senior leaders and subject leaders, scrutinised documents, visited lessons and talked to teachers, talked to pupils and looked in their books. A focus on pupils with special educational needs was weaved through all inspection activities. Pupils’ behaviour, the school’s approach to anti-bullying, safeguarding, wider pupil’s development and staff workload & well-being were also inspected. Discussions with governors, a wider group of staff and more pupils followed, including talking to pupils, informally at breaktime. Views of parents were collected and compared to in-school findings.

 

If you completed Ofsted's on-line survey, thank you for your support and feedback. Around 400 responses were received. Staff also appreciated your kind words one-to-one at drop-off and collection times.

 

The inspection was thorough, rigorous and fair. 

 

Ofsted’s judgement and findings will be published as soon as possible, depending on Ofsted’s timelines and own quality assurance process. This is likely to be during the first half of the summer term.