Greenmount Primary School in Ryde has been told it ‘requires improvement’ following a visit from Ofsted inspectors back in April.
Inspectors graded the school – which is now one of the biggest Primary schools on the Island following the move to the former Mayfield Middle School – on 2 days in April (19th-20th).
The school, located on St Vincent’s Road in Ryde, has a total of 416 pupils aged 2-11 and was rated as ‘good’ as recently as 2020. 2014 was the last time the school was rated as ‘requires improvement’.
During the inspection, it was noted that some members of staff lacked expertise in designing tasks that help pupils know and remember things and that when preparing students to move up a year, what is being taught isn’t always what is needed to ensure they are ready for the academic step up – most notably in Year R into 1.
According to the report, there are inconsistencies in how pupils at the school are taught to read, meaning that some pupils don’t get to learn to read as quickly as they should, with staff sometimes using unhelpful strategies which aren’t part of the phonics programme. This doesn’t help those who have fell behind catch up quickly enough.
Inspectors also found that leaders have not carefully considered the training and time subject leaders need to develop their subjects and to monitor the implementation of the curriculum. Teachers, therefore, do not get the support they need to help pupils achieve well across all subjects.
On a more positive note, it was found that the school taught pupils to be tolerant, respectful and accepting and that they enjoyed things such as visits and trips that helped to enrich the curriculum. Staff and teachers have high expectations of all students who learn the importance of confidence and resilience.
Pupils feel safe attending the school and it was noted that leaders have established a strong culture of vigilance in regards to safeguarding.
These Ofsted reports suggesting schools on the Island are failing are responsibility of IOW council and the huge payments given to Hampshire to so called work in partnership. Across all services ( Police,Fire, Children’s Service’s etc ) where Hampshire is in partnership with IOW we have seen less and poor quality even though we are all paying more in C/tax.
Ofsted are not fit for purpose,we need inspections that when concerns are found something is done to help and improve things, not just publicly critazise – Ofsted is feared by all in working with children and partly reason staff sustainability and recruitment is difficult.
Schools are bad on the island. They always have been and they don’t improve. Hardly the fault of Ofsted. The problem is due to poor recruitment, poor teaching, poor leadership, and poor oversight of teaching practices.
To be honest what services are good on the Island.
Island MP – Poor service
IW Council – Poor service
Island Roads – Poor service
St Mary’s – Poor Service
That’s just to name a few, I could go on.