Nine Acres Primary School received an ungraded Ofsted inspection in May 2023 which suggested that there was enough evidence of improved performance that it could be judged as outstanding if a graded inspection was to be carried out.
The inspector certainly left no ambiguity in how he judged the school during the visit and this is reflected in his comments – as a result, the school will receive a graded inspection within the next year or so.
Some of the many positive comments include:
• Leaders, staff and governors aim high for pupils in this school.
• Relationships are supportive, respectful and compassionate.
• Everybody’s talents are highly nurtured.
• Learning in this school is ambitious and inclusive.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive effective support.
• The early years environment is rich with language and resources to support the learning of phonics.
• Mathematics teaching is strong.
• Reading starts well in early years.
• Art teaching is exceptional.
• Warm relationships ensure consistency and fairness.
• Everyone feels valued, supported and proud of their school.
• Leaders are tireless to pursue essential help for families experiencing trauma or hardship.
Headteacher Beth Dyer said:
“What is most important to us is not just a grade and recognition of exceptional practice but what the content of the report reflects. The reflection that the children are at the heart of all we do, all we achieve and are central to our everyday excellence.”
“This inspection outcome is a true testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of the Nine Acres staffing team. As Headteacher, I feel truly privileged to work with such exceptional colleagues.”
“The inspector was particularly impressed by our high levels of positive parental feedback both in person and through the Parental Survey. We would like to thank our community for their continued support and encouragement.”
“Whilst the inspector did not flag any areas for improvement, we will not stand still, we continue to work on all aspects of our school to ensure that we deliver high quality provision every day for every child in our care. We continue to ‘Strive for Excellence’ as a community together.”
Greenmount – 0
Nine Acre’s – 10
Shows with Ofsted it’s often the Inspector not the schools, both school’s very similar so why so dramatically different in inspection?. Oh a different Inspector.
Hardly. The assessments are very different because standards etc. can differ greatly. Ofsted inspectors do have standard evaluation criteria to follow. There is no mark out of 10. The only final evaluations are: Inadequate, Requires improvement, Good, or Outstanding. Greenmount Requires improvement. Nine Acres got Good last time but Outstanding this time.
I know they are not marked by numbers,it was example how two schools run by IOW very similar are so different, with different Inspectors. I have engaged with many Inspectors over the years, some are rude and bigheaded and only see what they want and staff and workers always anxious. They are like having to face a bully- never knowing and have to walk on egg shells. As said before like taking car for MOT – will often fail miserably in one garage or pass with no advisories in another – down to same criteria but Inspector does what like,old saying that women are taken advantage of by garage mechanics.
There is a complaints procedure and more should complain when they think the evaluation has been conducted inadequately. You can demand another inspection.