CADBURY Heath Primary School has started the new academic year on a high following a very successful Ofsted inspection.
A team from the education watchdog visited in June and published their report at the start of the summer holidays. The inspectors rated the early years provision as strong and said the school met the expected standard in all other categories: achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and pupils’ personal development and wellbeing.
Improvements in the school over recent years had been recognised by children, parents and staff, Ofsted said.
“Leaders bring passion, commitment and a clear sense of vision to Cadbury Heath Primary School. They, including the trust, know the school’s strengths and areas to improve. Leaders have addressed weaknesses in the school at pace,” the report noted.
“Pupils enjoy attending a school that has improved across many areas of its work in recent times. Older pupils reflect positively on the changes made by leaders.”
Of the early years provision, the report said: “Children get off to a wonderful start in the early years.” Inspectors praised the ambitious and stimulating curriculum.
“When children leave the early years, they are articulate, confident and well-rounded individuals. This prepares them very well for the demands of key stage 1.”
The inspectors praised the tenacity of school leaders in raising expectations around children’s behaviour, which had paid off.
“Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. Lessons are calm and purposeful because pupils have positive attitudes to learning,” the report said.
“Pupils feel safe because they know they have adults they can turn to if they have any concerns.
“Relationships throughout the school are warm and trusting.”
Cadbury Heath Primary is part of The Leaf Trust, which was said by Ofsted to have given strong support to the school to raise the quality of teaching and overhaul the curriculum.
“The trust worked closely with the school after it joined, providing substantial support to strengthen systems and practice. It has provided significant amounts of training for staff to develop their expertise. As systems have become embedded, the trust has adopted a lighter-touch approach to their support.”
Ross Newman, chief executive of The Leaf Trust, said: “Cadbury Heath Primary School has made remarkable progress, and this report reflects a school moving confidently in the right direction.
“We are incredibly proud of the children, staff, families, governors and leaders who have worked together to create a school where children are safe, valued and increasingly successful.”
Headteacher Matthew Hillier-Brown said: “I am very proud of the whole community, not just over these two days, but since I have started here two years ago. We are a small school with a big heart and I am so pleased that Ofsted recognised the difference that our staff make every day and our happy, calm and positive atmosphere.
“We have been on an incredible journey over these past years and we will continue to go from strength to strength. I am lucky to be the headteacher of such a wonderful school community.”