Staff, pupils, governors and parents at Niton primary school are celebrating after it was removed from special measures by Ofsted.
Inspectors who visited the school on 25th and 26th March found that all aspects of the school’s
work had improved significantly since the last inspection. The report highlights that:
[alert-success]• Pupils enjoy coming to school and feel safe. Behaviour in lessons and around the school
is good.
• The new headteacher is changing the school rapidly through his drive and passion for improvement. The formal collaboration with The Bay Church of England Primary School has been the most significant step in securing leadership capacity and skills at all levels.
• Parents and carers feel very welcome in school and have established effective partnerships with staff.
• Staff and governors are very clear about the school’s strengths and areas for development because of the regular monitoring that is undertaken.
• Leaders at various levels, including governors, are regularly checking the quality of teaching and learning. This is leading to rapid improvements in pupils’ current progress.
• Relationships between staff and pupils are very positive. Pupils are polite and helpful both in lessons and around the school.
• The quality of teaching has turned a corner since the last inspection. It is improving rapidly… growing numbers of pupils are beginning to gain a real thirst for learning as a result of the changes to the curriculum.
• Pupils are proud of their work and take great care in their presentation. Classrooms are bright and displays celebrate the work of pupils.
• The leadership of the early years provision is good. Since the last inspection, the inside and outdoor classrooms have been transformed to engage children in their learning.[/alert-success]
Headteacher Mr Duncan Mills said:
“I’m delighted that the inspectors have recognised the hard-work and dedication of the team here at Niton. Being in special measures has been challenging but it’s testament to everyone involved with the school that together we have been able to make this remarkable turn-around.
“I’d also like to thank parents for their support and look forward to working with them to make Niton an outstanding school in the South Wight area”.
Chair of Governors Jon Bartholomew added:
“This is excellent news. We have a clear understanding of what is needed to drive up standards further and I’m confident that together we will continue to strive for the best possible education for the community of Niton. Well done to everyone connected with the school”.
In order to be a good school, the inspectors said Niton needs to:
• Improve the quality of teaching and the rates in pupils’ progress, particularly in writing and
mathematics, by ensuring that:
– teachers use their knowledge of pupils’ abilities to set work at the right level
– teachers have consistently high expectations of what the most able pupils can achieve
– pupils are provided with sufficient time to improve their work and to respond to adults’ comments
– older pupils have regular opportunities to practise their spelling, grammar and punctuation in order to improve their vocabulary in written work
– teachers provide pupils with the resources they need to support their learning
– adults receive appropriate training in teaching calculation skills
You can view the full report below:
https://cdn.islandecho.co.uk/uploads/2015/04/Niton-Primary-Ofsted-Report-April-2015.pdf
