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09
May 2023
Ripley school rated 'good' by Ofsted for first time in eight years
Staff and pupils at a primary school judged 'inadequate' by Ofsted 18 months ago are celebrating after it was given a glowing report following its latest inspection.
Ofsted inspectors visited Ripley Endowed Church of England School in March and their report, published today, rates the village school 'good' in all areas.
The new assessment marks a sea-change in the school’s fortunes and is the result of radical measures to bring it up to the required standard.
Victoria Kirkman, who was appointed interim co-executive headteacher last year, said she was "proud" of the new rating. She added:
Having been consistently rated 'good', the school received three consecutive 'requires improvement' assessments in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
At its last full inspection in November 2021, it was rated 'inadequate' – the lowest of all ratings – in a report that was highly critical of its quality of education, leadership and early years provision.
The rating meant the school, which has space for 90 pupils but currently only has 33, was placed in special measures.
As a result, North Yorkshire County Council drafted in an interim executive board (IEB) and new staff were hired, including Miss Kirkman, who is also executive headteacher at Admiral Long CE Primary School in Burnt Yates and Birstwith CE Primary School, which were both inspected and rated 'good' by Ofsted last year, and at Beckwithshaw Primary School which was rated 'inadequate' last spring.
Ripley Primary School’s progress was noted at a monitoring inspection in November 2022, but today’s report is seen as concrete acknowledgement that the school has been turned around. The report rates the school 'good' across the board, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. It states:
It also quotes a parent, who said the new leadership’s “unbelievable enthusiasm has spread amongst teachers, pupils and parents”.
Ofsted inspectors were impressed with the changes that staff and governors had brought about over the last 12 months.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said:
Robert Ling, who was drafted in as the chair of the IEB, said:
Rebecca Foy, the school’s interim co-executive headteacher and special educational needs co-ordinator, was also delighted by Ripley's transformation. She said:
Maxie Schiffmann and Ellie Allen, co-chairs of the school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA), told The Stray Ferret:
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