Springwater School in Starbeck has been rated ‘good’ in a newly published report by Ofsted.
Government inspectors visited the school, which has 97 pupils aged two to 19, in June.
Their report rates the school as ‘outstanding’ in four of the five areas assessed but the overall assessment is ‘good’.
It says leaders at the school, which has pupils with severe or profound learning difficulties, “have very high expectations of how well staff look after the pupils in their care” and that “pupils are given highly personalised support by a team of very caring staff”.
Personal development was described as exceptionally strong and arrangements for safeguarding effective.
The report adds:
“Staff ensure that pupils are fully included in all aspects of school life.
“The learning atmosphere in school is positive. Pupils, and students in the sixth form, try hard when in class. They are keen to join in and eager to learn new things.
“Pupils demonstrate how much they appreciate learning by laughing and smiling.”
Inspectors say pupils receive ‘highly personalised support’.
Sixth form ‘excellent’
Sixth form provision is described as “excellent”. The inspectors said:
“The sixth form curriculum is very well planned. It prepares students for adulthood very effectively. The curriculum includes life skills such as shopping and cooking, as well as important knowledge about how society works. Students also take courses that lead to accreditation. Students in the sixth form are incredibly positive about their experiences of school.”
Staff and leaders’ “holistic approach to managing behaviour” is described as “extremely effective”.
Headteacher Sarah Edwards said:
“The governors and I are delighted with the outcome of the two-day inspection which was rigorous and professionally challenging, as I am sure you would expect.
“I am so pleased that they captured what we as a team already identified as the strengths of the school and its pupils.”
Ms Edwards said the school had worked hard on “developing and implementing a suitable curriculum designed to meet the very diverse needs of all of our learners” since its last inspection in 2019, which raised “some concerns that standards may be declining”.
Ms Edwards thanked staff and added:
“I remain extremely proud of what Springwater delivers. There are four out of five of the judgements at an outstanding level, and the inspection team identified that ‘the quality of education has improved’.
“I am confident that the report and inspection experience captured our strengths brilliantly.
“Springwater is a brilliant place where children thrive and in turn the dedicated staff team have an enormous satisfaction in seeing children and young people flourish regardless of the special educational needs.”
Ms Edwards added there was “an extremely high demand for pupil places at this popular and over subscribed special school”, adding:
“As a result, there continue to be vacancies in support roles and the school would love to hear from any member of the community who would be willing to volunteer, to support pupils to access learning activities and community visits.”
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Praise for Harrogate school as Ofsted rating improves
A Harrogate junior school has achieved a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted less than four years after inspectors said it required improvement.
Saltergate Junior School in the Jennyfields area was praised for the “warm and respectful” relationship between teachers and pupils, with “high expectations” for their achievements.
The latest inspection took place in June, with the report published last week. It said:
“Many pupils say there is nothing they would change about their ‘amazing’ school. They thoroughly enjoy the wide range of rich and exciting experiences provided for them.
“School leaders make sure all pupils get lots of opportunities to develop their talents and interests.”
Inspectors praised the school’s leaders and governors for the “significant improvements” made since the last inspection, with changes to the curriculum and teaching continuing throughout the pandemic.
They said some areas of the curriculum which have more recently been introduced still needed further monitoring to ensure they were implemented effectively.
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While three of the four areas of assessment were rated ‘good’, the school was awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating for personal development. Chair of governors Mark Walker said he was “particularly thrilled” with this.
The inspectors added:
“Governors know the school well and provide effective support and challenge. Staff say that leaders are always ready to provide professional and personal support.
“They are rightly proud to work at this school.”
The inspection was carried out under previous headteacher Linda Mortimer, who retired in the summer. New head Joanne Hall said:
Praise for Harrogate school’s ‘strong community’ in new Ofsted report“I feel very lucky to be leading such a special school community and to be able to build upon the work achieved so far by Mrs Mortimer and the staff team.
“This successful inspection is thanks to all of our staff at Saltergate in both the infant and the junior schools as we all work closely together for the benefit of our children.
“Our infant school will be inspected at some point in the near future and we hope that Ofsted will be equally impressed.”
A Harrogate primary school has been rated ‘good’ with some ‘outstanding’ features in its latest Ofsted inspection.
Rossett Acre Primary School was praised for its “strong sense of community” and for the “impeccable manners” shown by its children.
Inspectors found it was ‘good’ in the quality of its education and early years provision, as well as its leadership. They rated its behaviour and attitudes, and its personal development, as ‘outstanding’.
The report said:
“There is a firm focus on pupils’ academic success alongside their mental health and well-being.
“Staff encourage pupils to benefit fully from the rich curriculum experiences and opportunities on offer. Pupils enjoy their lessons and clubs, such as dodgeball, singing squad, multi-sports and orchestra.
“Pupils respond positively to the education they receive. They show high levels of motivation and a thirst for learning. Pupils feel valued by staff and are proud of the contribution they make to the school.”
Inspectors highlighted the school’s emphasis on diversity and culture of tolerance and respect for others as areas of strength.
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Addressing ways in which the school could further improve, they said the new phonics curriculum needed to be implemented in a way that ensured all pupils could make progress and those who were further behind could catch up.
They also said not all subjects were taught consistently from reception onwards, such as poor handwriting formation not being addressed early enough so bad habits could become established.
The report added:
“The broad offer and focus on developing staff expertise mean that pupils achieve very well in the range of subjects over time.
“The curriculum is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils with SEND have the support they need so they can achieve well and be fully involved in school life.
“Teachers deliver the curriculum with enthusiasm. This rubs off on the pupils and they respond with curiosity and a desire to learn.”
The inspection took place in June, before the summer holiday, and the report has been published this week.
The school has maintained its rating from its last full inspection in 2011, before it became an academy in 2016. It had a short inspection in 2019.
Rossett Acre is part of the Red Kite Learning Trust, a group of 13 schools including Harrogate Grammar School, Oatlands Junior School, and Western and Coppice Valley primaries.
Inspectors praised the support of the trust for the school, providing training to teachers and ensuring pupils had access to the best learning opportunities.
Responding to the report, headteacher Corinne Penhale said:
Richard Taylor school in Bilton receives ‘good’ Ofsted rating“We are thrilled with our Ofsted report, particularly our two areas of ‘outstanding’ for personal development and behaviour and attitudes.
“At Rossett Acre, children are at the heart of everything we do, and the Ofsted outcomes are testament to this.
“I am so incredibly proud of everyone in our school and our community who work so hard to ensure we provide a relevant, rich and fabulous education for our children. What a team!”
Richard Taylor Primary School in Bilton has received a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted.
The government schools inspector, which visited Richard Taylor in June, praised the quality of learning as well as how much children enjoy attending.
The report said pupils work hard to meet the high expectations set by teachers and that children with special educational needs were particularly well supported by a “broad and ambitious” curriculum.
The report said:
“Pupils say that they love school and their friends at Richard Taylor primary.
“Pupils feel safe, and are safe, because staff look after them well and help them with any problems they may have.
“Teachers help them to do their best. They are well supported by school staff.”
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The report praised the “calm and orderly environment” and said child welfare and safeguarding were well catered for. It said:
“Pupils say that bullying does not happen, but if it did, they trust that adults would deal with it quickly.”
Richard Taylor school
Staff, it added, “are proud to work at the school” and “say that leaders support them well”.
Most parents say the school is a “great community to be part of” and feel supported by staff.
Founded in 1793
Richard Taylor was founded in 1793 and moved to its current site on Bilton Lane in 1973.
The 275-pupil school, which is a founding member of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, was last inspected in 2017, when it was also rated ‘good’.
The latest report highlighted “some inconsistencies in staff expertise to deliver phonics”, adding:
“As a result, some pupils in the earliest stages of reading are not competent at blending letter sounds to read a word.”
It said leaders were in the process of putting in place “a more systematic approach to the teaching of phonics”.
Headteacher Andrew Symonds and deputy headteacher Emma Crisell
Andrew Symonds, who has been headteacher at Richard Taylor for 13 years, said:
“Everyone at Richard Taylor school is very pleased with the outcome of our most recent report.
“We are delighted that the inspector recognised the strong sense of community where a culture of respect and kindness is in every classroom.
“The report also clearly identified the strong duty of care and united vision for the pupils, based upon our Christian values, which is shared by everyone associated with the school.
“I would like to thank the children, parents, governors and leaders within the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust for their hard work and support which is reflected in this report.
“As a school we are ready to focus on the agreed targets for development as we prepare to celebrate 230 years as a learning community in Harrogate and our 50th anniversary on our current site.”
Consultation withdrawn on closure of Nidderdale village school
Governors at Fountains Earth Primary School in Upper Nidderdale have withdrawn their request for a consultation over its closure.
They had put forward the plans after finding the low number of pupils made the school in Lofthouse unsustainable, with just 11 on the role aged between four and 11.
However, a letter issued to parents at the end of term said:
“The governors have reviewed the current position of Fountains Earth. With new information to consider, we will be withdrawing the current consultation application sent to [North Yorkshire County Council] whilst we review this new information.”
The move has been welcomed by parents who had opposed any possibility of the school’s closure.
Sharon Leeming, whose two children have both attended the school, is chairman of the village parents’ association.
It saw villagers rally in support of the school, turning out in force when the threat to it was discussed by Upper Nidderdale Parish Council at the beginning of July.
Ms Leeming told the Stray Ferret:
“The community are incredibly pleased and the 110-strong turnout at the parish council meeting showed what a thriving community we live in.
“We hope the governing body see the impact of a school closure would have on the young people in the area. There are increasing numbers of children over the next five years, so hopefully the school will remain strong and the community will continue to thrive.”
‘New information’
While the governors have not given a reason for their decision, North Yorkshire County Council confirmed the news to the Stray Ferret. Stuart Carlton, corporate director of children and young people’s services, said:
“The governors of Fountains Earth Primary School have withdrawn the application for further consideration after new information was made available.”
Ms Leeming said she and other parents had provided information about more families moving to the village in recent months, as well as others planning to do so.
Part of the reason for the village’s increasing popularity, according to Ms Leeming, was the number of people who were able to work from home for the first time following the covid pandemic.
She said:
“Superfast broadband has been installed in Nidderdale. A lot of current parents work from home and said they have never had a better internet connection.
“EE have switched on a mast up the dale and people can’t believe the signal they’ve got. Those kinds of things make a huge difference.”
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Unlike other schools under threat of closure, Ms Leeming pointed out Fountains Earth is rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
It is part of a federation of schools with St Cuthbert’s in Pateley Bridge and Glasshouses Primary School, which has just received a very positive Ofsted report. The three schools share a headteacher, Nicola Thornber.
However, she said any threat over its future could lead people to choose other options rather than risk having to change their child’s school later on.
Ofsted praise for “ambitious” leaders at Nidderdale village school“If people hear a school is consulting to close, they won’t even consider moving to the village. If they know it has been withdrawn, or revisited, people will have more confidence in the village and in the school.
“There’s something special about Fountains Earth. We need to all work together now to keep it open.”
A village school with just 45 pupils has been praised for turning around its fortunes in the four years since its last Ofsted inspection.
Admiral Long Church of England Primary School has been rated ‘good’ after inspectors visited last month and found its leaders were “ambitious” and had put an “effective” curriculum in place.
The school in Burnt Yates was founded on the site of the former village primary school, which was closed in 2018 after Ofsted said it had inadequate safeguarding.
Bishop Thornton Primary School, which was rated ‘requires improvement’, then moved to the site. Its executive headteacher, Victoria Kirkman, took over in September 2021 and also oversees Birstwith Primary School, as well as being interim executive leader of the Ripley, Beckwithshaw and Kettlesing federation of schools.
In their latest report, Ofsted inspectors said:
“Admiral Long Church of England Primary School does not just focus on academic outcomes. Pupils experience a range of sporting and cultural events to enhance their learning.
“Leaders want their pupils to grow into well-rounded young people, ready to take their place in the world. The school curriculum, enrichment experiences and the wider opportunities on offer have been designed to achieve this.”
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The report highlighted the overwhelmingly positive response of parents to the school, saying they were “full of praise” for staff and leaders and were proud to say their children attended the school.
Inspectors found reading was a high priority in the school, from pupils just beginning to learn letter sounds to those who had fallen behind receiving extra support.
They said the curriculum was well-planned overall, encouraging pupils to make links between different subject areas. While the maths curriculum was ambitious and “coherently sequenced”, inspectors said it could be broken down into smaller steps to help the youngest children in the early stages of number recall.
Executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman
Ms Kirkman said:
“Since September, the school has gone on an incredible journey of rapid school improvement and I am delighted this hard work has been recognised, especially with regards to the safeguarding of its pupils.
“Although our school was recognised for its achievements in relation to the curriculum and academic outcomes, I am most proud of the recognition, post-pandemic, for the pastoral care and enrichment experiences we give to our pupils.”
Early years
The report found the school’s early years provision required improvement, particularly in outdoor learning, saying:
“Children in the early years enjoy learning in a welcoming and attractive space indoors that prioritises all areas of learning, including physical development and communication and language.
“However, this is not the case outdoors. Consequently, children are unable to enjoy extending their play and learning outside. There is a lack of activities and resources for them to use.
“The space does not support the delivery of the early years curriculum. Leaders know this area requires development and have plans in place for this.”
Inspectors also recommended improvements to the SEND provision, giving more support to pupils to ensure they reached targets set for them.
Chair of governors Jane Connor said:
Spofforth after-school club praised by Ofsted“The governors are immensely proud of the achievement of the leadership team and all staff and children at Admiral Long School…
“We are particularly proud of the school’s focus on developing well-rounded young people, through a curriculum developed in the best interests of pupils, enrichment experiences and wider opportunities.”
Ofsted has given Spofforth Childcare a glowing report following an inspection.
The education inspectors visited the club, which operates at Spofforth Church of England Primary School on School Lane, in June.
The setting provides before and after-school care for 47 children in term times and during the summer holidays.
Ofsted found that children who attended the setting “behave well and show respect for others” and staff “set clear expectations for children’s behaviour and are good role models”.
It added:
“They offer children plenty of praise and encouragement. This supports children’s confidence and self-esteem.”
“Children thoroughly enjoy their time in this before- and after-school club. They are happy and settled.”
Inspectors also found that the club had effective safeguarding measures in place and have a good understanding of how to identify possible signs of abuse.
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They also said the management team is keen to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities, have their individual needs met.
Responding to the report, Sharon Hoskin, owner, said:
“When Ofsted visit you know every area of your practice will be scrutinised and the inspection was fairly rigorous, but it was fair. We’re delighted with the final outcome because we realise all our hard work and effort is worth it. This isn’t only a positive for staff morale, it’s for the parents and children too.”
After-school and holiday clubs can now only receive a ‘met’ or ‘not met’ rating from Ofsted.
Ms Hoskin added:
Hot Seat: ‘We are a proud school, independent-minded’“We would prefer the old way of doing it because if you do one thing considered ‘not met’ then the whole thing is graded ‘not met’.
“Not just for us, but for other settings, we always strive to try and get an ‘outstanding’ but we can’t do that now. It doesn’t alter our practice, but it would be nice to be able to achieve that. Quite a few settings who have had ‘outstanding’ can’t get that now.”
As an opening bowler for Ouseburn Cricket Club, Jonathan Webb has sent down a fair few short pitched deliveries over the years.
But as headteacher of Ripon Grammar School, he must sometimes feel he spends his entire professional life dodging bouncers.
Ripon Grammar is one of 163 UK grammar schools, and Yorkshire’s only state only state boarding school.
Founded in 1555, it is a unique and successful institution but even it is feeling the winds of change.
Covid, mental health, energy bills, pastoral care, academisation, Ofsted — all these issues weigh on leaders’ minds, never mind teaching.
Mr Webb says the last academic year, which ended on Friday, was “less disrupted” by covid than the previous one but the ongoing aftermath is, in some ways, even more damaging. He says:
“Academically our students did relatively well during covid although some did struggle. Where things have been more challenging is the socialising and, dare I say it, the civilising aspect of school.
“By not having that daily interaction with their peers they have got out of that rhythm.”
Many young people were struggling with the corrosive impact of social media and mobile phones even before covid increased their sense of isolation. Mr Webb says:
“A lot of things young people have to deal with, we never had to deal with. Even mobile phones have changed the way students interact with each other and they extend the school day.
“Mental health is a huge issue. But children are much more willing to talk about it. When I was at school the phrase ‘mental health’ wasn’t even coined.”
With students at Ripon Grammar School.
Are schools being asked to fill gaps caused by under-funded services?
“It feels like that. There is a big pressure on schools now. Increasingly we can’t just be establishments of education in the old fashioned sense of the world. We have an increasing and growing responsibility in terms of mental health practical support and safeguarding as well.”
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Improving Ripon
Mr Webb was educated at Batley Grammar School and has a history degree from Cambridge. Friendly and approachable, he was deputy head at Durham School for five years before moving to Ripon in 2017.
When he joined, he talked about there always being room for improvement. What does he think has been achieved?
He cites pastoral support. The school now has a pastoral management team with five heads of year, a pastoral support officer, a student welfare officer and a counsellor comes into school three days a week.
Looking ahead, he says pastoral care will remain a priority but there’s plenty else to ponder over summer, such as updating the school’s “pretty antiquated” heating system at a time of soaring energy bills and preparing for a visit from Ofsted.
Ripon Grammar hasn’t had an Ofsted inspection since 2012 when it was rated ‘outstanding’ although its boarding school was assessed to be ‘good’ this year.
Mr Webb says:
“We’ve been ready or aware since January that an inspection is imminent.”
Becoming an academy
There’s also the looming prospect of being forced to join an academy, as part of government’s plans for all schools to go down this route by 2030.
For a school that has excelled in splendid isolation for 450 years, this isn’t an entirely welcome prospect. Heavily oversubscribed at 11+, in 2021, 72 per cent of pupils achieved 9-7 at GCSE and 60 per cent achieved A*/A at A level. At least 85 per cent of students stay on for the sixth form and the over 60 per cent go to Russell Group universities.
There doesn’t seem to be a great reason to change but Mr Webb acknowledges “academies are the direction of travel”, adding:
“We are a proud school, independent-minded. Inevitably joining a trust involves joining with other schools. However we have to accept it’s going to happen and embrace the benefits.”
Boarding fees
Ripon Grammar, which moved to its present 23-acre site in 1874, is free for day pupils. Boarding costs about £11,000 to £12,000 a year, which is about a third the price of independent alternatives.
Former pupils include fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, former Conservative Party leader William Hague MP, Guardian editor Katharine Viner, TV presenter Richard Hammond and Olympic gold medallist diver Jack Laugher.
Mr Webb says there is a renewed focus on high quality teaching and learning. He’s particularly keen on oracy or, as he puts it, “developing the way students speak in an erudite and informed manner”, adding:
“It’s a life skill that never leaves somebody.”
The school is also embedding new subjects such as GCSE PE and A-level politics into the curriculum.
Mr Webb, who lives with his wife Helen and two sons near Ripon, has now spent as long at Ripon as he did at Durham but intends to continue. He says:
“I love this school and I love the job. I live very locally and both of my boys are here. They are doing well and enjoying it so I don’t see any need to move on at this stage.”
‘Ambitious’ Ripon school praised by Ofsted for transformation
A Ripon primary school has received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted five years after it was branded failing.
Outwood Primary Academy Greystone joined the Outwood Grange Academies Trust after it was rated ‘inadequate’ in 2017.
Now, in its first inspection since joining the trust, the school has been praised for the way it has turned around its standards.
Inspectors said:
“School and trust leaders have a clear vision and ambition for the school. Their relentless focus on ‘raising standards and transforming lives’ has secured rapid improvement.
“This transformation is a result of their swift action and hard work to improve the quality of education for all.”
The school’s early years provision was rated ‘outstanding’, with inspectors highlighting the “well-resourced” indoor and outdoor classrooms and “ambitious” curriculum designed to offer the best start to their education.
Inspectors also praised the way to school created “confident and fluent” readers through an effective phonics programme, as well as supporting those pupils who needed more help.
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The report said teachers were thorough in delivering the curriculum and checking children’s knowledge. However, it said some subject leaders were newer to their roles and there were still some gaps in pupils’ knowledge which had not been recognised.
Inspectors also said the assessment process in some subjects could be more rigorous to ensure teachers were getting an accurate picture of pupils’ knowledge compared to what they expected.
The school was also advised to ensure any concerns raised by pupils were acted upon and systems for dealing with them were followed, to give children the confidence to report their worries.
The inspectors added:
“Leaders have systems in place to ensure that all pupils regularly attend school. Their mission is that every pupil develops as a well-rounded and responsible citizen.
“All pupils work towards the ‘Outwood Primary Diploma’. Pupils complete activities such as how to be a good British and international citizen. These activities are helping to prepare pupils for their adult lives ahead.
“Staff feel that leaders genuinely care about their well-being and workload. They feel supported. Staff appreciate the training and coaching they receive from school and trust leaders.”
Outwood Primary Academy Greystone principal Emma Abbott said:
‘Good’ rating from Ofsted for Boroughbridge school“We are delighted that the hard work of the school community has been recognised by Ofsted and we are now officially a ‘good’ school with an ‘outstanding’ early years foundation stage.
“Since joining the Outwood family, the academy has gone from strength to strength, raising standards and transforming lives. We are proud that the report acknowledges that ‘Pupils love to learn at Greystone’ and that they are ‘happy and feel safe’.”
Ofsted has praised Boroughbridge Primary School for the way it engages pupils with their learning as it awarded it a ‘good’ rating.
A two-day inspection in May found children were well-behaved and polite, showing “positive and attentive” attitudes.
In their report, the inspector said:
“Boroughbridge Primary School is a friendly and welcoming place. Pupils feel safe, happy and enjoy their learning.
“Relationships are a strength of the school. As one pupil put it, ‘We have kind teachers, kind children and lovely school cooks!’
“Pupils work hard to meet their teachers’ high expectations and do well.”
The inspector found teachers consistently checked pupils’ knowledge and what they could remember in lessons. However, she said more could be done to carry out assessments over time to look for and address gaps in knowledge.
She also found that teachers were not always clear on what pupils should know in each subject area, but said school leaders were already working towards addressing this.
Read more:
The report said the school had had a change of leadership recently, with an interim headteacher and deputy head appointed. The inspector added:
“Leaders have brought about many positive changes to the school in a short space of time. They are developing a broad and ambitious curriculum.
“Staff are well supported by school leaders and governors. Staff value this. They know that they can ask for help, particularly with workload. Staff appreciate the care and consideration given to their well-being.
“There is a positive culture of teamwork between leaders, staff and governors.”
Boroughbridge Primary School has 175 pupils aged between three and 11. Its previous inspections in 2017 and 2013 both also gave a ‘good’ rating.