Hemsby Primary School delighted by positive Ofsted report

PUPILS and teachers at Hemsby Primary School are delighted that Ofsted inspectors found they are meeting education standards.

The school was assessed by the schools watchdog on November 15 and 16, and a report says the school is performing to a satisfactory standard.

In her report, inspector Judi Bedawi said: “The school provides its pupils with a satisfactory education within a caring environment and is increasingly focused on raising pupils’ outcomes.

“The headteacher and senior leaders, together with the supportive governing body, have managed the considerable recent changes involved in becoming a primary school satisfactorily.

“They are now determined to address rigorously the weaknesses identified in the school’s accurate self-evaluation, with the shared ambition to rapidly improve pupils’ learning and progress, and to drive up attainment.”

Assistant headteacher Ryan Freeman said he was pleased inspectors recognised many of the school’s strengths.

“We enjoyed the opportunity to show the inspectors all of the good things that our children and staff have been doing over the past two years,” he said. “They highlighted many good things that they were pleased with and gave us some targets to be working on over the coming year.”

Among the school’s strengths are PE, music and arts, a good level of care from all staff and good subject leaders who make a positive difference.

The report said that teachers needed to develop their skills at setting challenging work and improve their lesson planning, but Mr Freeman felt the school is already doing well in this field.

“This disappointed us and we disagree,” he said. “We are proud of all of our teachers and feel that the inspectors didn’t look closely enough at planning files.

“Many of the staff who were observed received praise from the inspectors for their good lessons.

“However, we will review our methods very thoroughly though and make any changes that are needed.”

When inspectors visited the school they observed 13 lessons taught by eight teachers.

They held discussions with pupils, staff, members of the governing body, parents’ and carers, and a representative of the local authority.

Inspectors analysed school work, school records and responses to questionnaires from 59 parents and carers, 19 staff and 100 pupils.

Staff say the inspection was a positive experience and they hope to use their comments to make the school even better in the future.

“All of the staff at Hemsby Primary School are focused on driving improvements,” added Mr Freeman. “We are determined that we will not only meet the targets that we have been set, but in many cases we will exceed them.

“We will not stop until this happens. We have the children at the centre of our plans and we will make sure that they receive the best education we can provide.”

Other positives found at the school were: A good early years department, a good understanding of healthy lifestyles, good clubs on offer for the whole school, ICT used really well across the curriculum, a management team that is aware of the strengths and weaknesses, a determination to improve standards rapidly and Year 6 children on track to exceed national targets for the second year running.