Leaders at Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School have been praised by Ofsted for tackling the school’s inadequate rating.
The school was judged to be inadequate at its most recent full visit by government inspectors in November last year after three consecutive ‘requires improvement’ assessments. The report was highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision.
The rating meant the school, which has about 50 pupils, was placed in special measures and forced to seek to join an academy.
Ofsted inspector Marcus Newby conducted a subsequent monitoring visit on November 8.
His report to interim co-executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman, published yesterday on Ofsted’s website, was full of praise for recent improvement efforts by the new leadership team.
Victoria Kirkman
Although the previous judgement cannot be changed as part of a monitoring visit, meaning the school is still rated inadequate and in special measures, the report has raised hopes of an upgrade when the next full inspection is conducted.
The report to Ms Kirkman said “leaders have taken swift and effective action since the previous inspection” and said she had “instilled confidence in staff and parents”.
It said there had been “extensive changes to staffing” that have brought about “strength and stability”, adding:
“You have wasted no time in addressing the previous weaknesses of the school’s curriculum.
“The school’s existing approach to phonics and early reading is now taught with precision. Reading books match pupils’ phonic knowledge accurately. The strategies that children develop in their youngest years, such as segmenting and blending, are used with confidence. Pupils enjoy reading.”
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Ms Kirkman said:
“We are delighted with the outcome of the recent Ofsted monitoring visit at Ripley, which recognised the significant and rapid school transformation since the previous inspection.
“This is due to the hard work of all stakeholders in working together to ensure future success of the school and the life chances of children in the federation. We now focus on the next inspection and continue our relentless drive for further school improvement.”
Ms Kirkman is also executive headteacher at Admiral Long and Birstwith CE Schools, which have recently been inspected and judged as ‘good’ by Ofsted.
