St James CE Primary School helps pupils to ‘set the bar high’
St James CE Primary School has impressed Ofsted during a recent two-day inspection where every aspect of life and learning at the school was robustly reviewed.
St James was one of the first schools in the country to welcome Ofsted inspectors under a new, and much tougher, inspection framework.
The principle of the inspection is different to the one-word judgements that have been used in the past, with greater focus being placed on the descriptions that the inspection team use to explain their findings about the school.
In the final report, inspectors use phrases such as “impressive” and noted that there are established “high expectations” and “ambitious” approaches alongside a culture that is “rooted in care, ambition and respect.”
Sarah Beach, Headteacher, said: “Given that the new framework was launched less than two months before our visit, we always knew that we were in a period of adapting to every nuance of what is now being measured and reviewed.
“However, we are delighted that the inspectors recognised everything that we believe makes our school such an exciting place for our children to learn. We care deeply about our children – and they make rapid and sustained progress during their time with us.”
Alongside the many positive comments, the inspectors noted that:
- “The school’s aspirational approach supports pupils to set the bar high for themselves.”
- “The school’s personal development offer is impressive”.
- "Pupils achieve well. Disadvantaged pupils often make progress…that is better than their peers nationally.
- “Leaders have established high expectations of pupils’ behaviour.”
- There is “an ambitious and well sequenced curriculum”
- “From the moment that pupils arrive at the school, staff ensure that they are known individuals.”
- Pupils “enjoy coming to school, feel safe and attend well.”
As a result, St James secured strong or expected standard in every judgement area. All safeguarding standards were also met.
Sarah added: “The new inspection framework is tough, and it is clear that more is being asked of schools. It was a very robust process, which makes me even more proud of what we have achieved. Throughout the inspection it was great to see our staff’s expertise and dedication being recognised and, most of all, our pupils shone.
“It was lovely to hear that inspectors praised them for their enthusiasm, behaviour and passion for their own learning. Their attitudes and successes are the greatest indicator of the strength of any school.”
Ruth Walker-Green, the PDET's CEO, said: “The warmth and positivity in the inspection team’s comments really do summarise all that is good about the school.
“The whole school community deserve a huge amount of praise. The school is such an inspiring place - and they had the slightly daunting task of being the first school in our Trust to be inspected in this new way.
“It is a school that is hugely impressive in so many ways.”