Ofsted Report - November 2023

Our most recent inspection was a graded inspection because the school had not been inspected for twelve years previously.

Due to the amount of time between inspections, a graded inspection was carried out under Section 5 of the Education Act 2005. This meant that two inspectors used Ofsted's full framework and graded the school for each of the key judgements (quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management; and early years provision) and for its overall effectiveness.

Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision. This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.

◼ Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: early reading, mathematics, science and computing. For each deep dive, inspectors discussed the curriculum with subject leaders, visited a sample of lessons, spoke with teachers, spoke with some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of their work. The lead inspector listened to a sample of pupils read to a familiar adult.

◼ The lead inspector spoke with a group of governors, including the chair of governors. He also met with a representative of the local authority.

◼ To inspect safeguarding, the lead inspector met with the designated safeguarding leads to review records. An inspector scrutinised the single central register of recruitment and vetting checks. Inspectors also spoke with governors, staff and pupils about safeguarding.

◼ Inspectors spoke with parents. Account was taken of the responses to the online questionnaire, Ofsted Parent View. Inspectors also spoke with groups of pupils and staff.

◼ Inspectors considered pupils’ behaviour at various times of day, including in lessons, around the school site and at lunchtime. Inspectors scrutinised attendance records and behaviour logs.

Inspection team:

                        Dughall McCormick      lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

                        Becky Austwick           Ofsted Inspector

To read the report on the OFSTED website please click here.