Ofsted School Inspection, 2011

The school is a lively, friendly community where pupils get on well together, feel safe and receive good care, guidance and support.

Their understanding of the need to contribute to the lives of others is a strong feature of the school, for example through fund raising for a local hospice, organising sports events for first school pupils and linking with their partner schools in Lebanon.

The school works well with a range of external agencies such as health and social services to promote the safety, health and welfare of all pupils.

The school is effective in promoting the values of respect and tolerance. Racism or discrimination are rare and if incidents of bullying occur they are dealt with promptly.

A large number of pupils participate in and enjoy extra curricular activities which are targeted to meet the needs of particular groups or individuals or are established in response to pupils’ ideas and suggestions.

Pupils speak enthusiastically about taking part and are keen to suggest ideas for new activities and projects in school and the wider community.

The school’s capacity to improve further has been strengthened by the appointment of a new Chair of the Governing Body, and leaders and teachers who share the headteacher’s clear vision for improvement while recognising what still needs to be done.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are learning to speak English as an additional language receive personalised intervention and guidance, which makes an important contribution to their quality of learning and allows them to make the same progress as their peers.

Pupils enjoy being part of the school community and willingly take on posts of responsibility.

Technology is used imaginatively and well and there are planned opportunities to develop literacy and numeracy.

Specialist status and enrichment days are used well to develop personal learning and thinking skills.