Aylesbury primary school jumps from low Ofsted rating to ‘good’
Parents, teachers and children at an Aylesbury primary school are celebrating after moving from an ‘inadequate’ to a ‘good’ rating in less than eighteen months in a report published today (19 November) by Ofsted.
In the report Ofsted highlight the tireless work by staff, leadership team and governors to improve pupils’ achievement and quality of teaching since the school’s last inspection in 2014, where they were graded inadequate.
The report states: “Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is now good as a result of school leaders’ high expectations and regular, rigourous monitoring. Leaders have established a school culture of respect and tolerance. There is a focus on helping pupils, including those in the early years, to understand British values.”
In addition, Inspectors found pupils in most year groups to be making good progress, “particularly in reading, writing and mathematics” and described relationships as a strength, with pupils enjoying coming to school, behaving well, and being polite and cooperative with their peers.
Headteacher Helen Emmett said: “I am incredibly proud of the huge efforts made by everyone involved with the school which has helped us achieve this ‘Good’ rating so quickly.
“I would like to thank staff for their continued hard work and dedication to our school; pupils for their enthusiasm towards their learning; parents for their ongoing support; and to the Governors for their commitment.
“It has been a very challenging road over the last four terms and we could not have achieved this result without the whole community working together. However, we aren’t standing still and Outstanding is our next goal!”
Zahir Mohammed, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “This Ofsted report is excellent news and a testament to the hard work of head teacher Helen Emmett and her team at Thomas Hickman School.
“Inspectors have noted significant improvement since their last visit and I would like to congratulate everyone at the school for making such rapid progress.”
Areas Ofsted identified for improvement to attain an outstanding grade include, improving the quality of teaching and learning in literacy and other subjects; giving older pupils more challenging homework and by providing pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2 with more opportunities to experience creative subjects such as art, drama and music in timetabled lessons and in after-school and lunchtime clubs.
To view the full report visit http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/110313