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25
Jan
Dishforth school receives good Ofsted rating
A Dishforth school has received a good Ofsted rating after an inspection in December.
Dishforth Church of England Primary School received four “good” ratings in: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school was rated “outstanding” for its personal development.
The report said the school’s curriculum focused on developing “a rich bank of knowledge” for pupils.
Ofsted inspectors said:
Staff have secure subject knowledge. They in most cases plan activities which help pupils to understand the learning. For instance, children in Reception confidently discussed properties of shapes. They accurately used vocabulary such as ‘rotated’ to describe a square that has been turned through 45 degrees. Pupils recall and use prior learning when discussing particles in a science lesson.
In early years, there is a strong focus on communication and language. Children listen attentively and speak with confidence. They enjoy a variety of songs, rhymes and stories. Children develop a strong understanding of number which prepares them well for the next stage of their learning. They rapidly add two numbers together with accuracy, for example. Children also develop firm foundations in their phonics knowledge.
There are high expectations for pupils’ achievement. Many pupils reach these. Where this is not the case, the school puts effective support in place.
Ofsted identified that the school has a "clearly understood process for identifying pupils’ needs", which are then met through carefully targeted support. This includes identifying and supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The inspection report also found that, due to positive relationships between staff and pupils, behaviour and attendance at the school is good.
It said:
The school has also established high expectations for pupils’ conduct. Behaviour across school is positive. Pupils are cooperative and willing to please. They embody the school’s aim of everyone feeling valued and secure. Pupils make positive contributions to the life of the school. They take pride in doing so.
Pupils of all ages are accepting of others. The ethos of the school consistently shows in pupils’ understanding and appreciation of difference. They have commendable attitudes towards others from different backgrounds, including different faiths and religions.
The nurturing environment at Dishforth means that pupils love to come to school. Attendance is positive as a consequence. Pupils are kind, polite and considerate. Instances of poor behaviour are exceptionally rare.
Ofsted also praised the school for its commitment to safeguarding the pupils.
The inspection highlighted that the pupil’s interests are at the heart of the school’s operations:
The school has fully embedded its vision of ‘rooted and grounded in love’. Pupils of all ages benefit from the positive relationships they develop with adults. They are safe, happy and proud to be members of the community. Pupils’ empathy for one another is tangible.
Parents and carers are very supportive of the school. Their comments focus on the ‘welcoming and close-knit school’, the ‘wonderful rapport’ that the school fosters and the ‘deep care’ that staff provide for pupils. There is an overwhelming family ethos here.
Headteacher Katey Lacey told the Stray Ferret:
Everyone at Dishforth Church of England Primary School is delighted with our Ofsted report and the final outcome, that we have taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection and remain a "good" school.
The focus that we give to the personal development of the children at our school shines through the report and it clearly recognises the “nurturing environment” and “family ethos” that we work so hard to achieve, as well as celebrating our wonderful pupils. The most significant comment of all was that “pupils’ best interests are at the heart of all the school does.” I am proud to lead the team that puts this into action every day.
Co-chairs of the governing board, Jenny Crabtree and Kirstie Lowe, said they were extremely pleased with the report and that they look forward to supporting the school as it grows from strength to strength.
Ofsted noted that, to improve, the school should ensure that pupils have sufficient opportunities to practise and develop their recall of basic mathematical skills, as some pupils do not have sufficient opportunities to do this.
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