‘Rapid improvements’ help Beckwithshaw school return to ‘good’ Ofsted rating

A village primary school near Harrogate has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted just 19 months after it was found to be failing.

Beckwithshaw Primary School‘s latest Ofsted report reveals inspectors found there had been “rapid improvements” after the previous ‘inadequate’ rating.

The report, published after the end of term following an inspection in July, said:

“Beckwithshaw is a small school with big ideas. Leaders have worked swiftly and tirelessly to bring about great improvement in the school.

“Staff and parents value the changes that have taken place. They recognise that the improvements have led to pupils receiving a better quality of education. This a happy place for pupils to learn.

“Leaders have placed well-being at the heart of what they do for pupils and staff. People care about each other. They are welcomed into school each day with a smile. Courtesy, politeness and respect are modelled by everyone.

“Relationships are strong. This leads to pupils being happy and considerate of others. They enjoy being part of the small school community.”

Inspectors found the school was offering lots of opportunities for reading, from first phonics lessons onwards.

Meanwhile, teaching of maths was found to be “effective”, with teachers adapting the curriculum to suit children’s differing needs.

The report added:

“There is a feeling of positivity in the school, which pupils share. Leaders and staff are ambitious for pupils. They have high expectations for the future.

“Leaders have reviewed the curriculum. They ensure that pupils access learning in a broad range of subjects. They ensure that learning is planned carefully for pupils in mixed-aged classes. In some subjects, learning builds progressively from the early years to Year 6. This helps pupils to use past knowledge to learn more.

“Leaders recognise that there is more to do in some subjects to identify the important knowledge they want pupils to remember.”

After the last Ofsted report, Beckwithshaw – which is federated with Ripley Endowed and Kettlesing Felliscliffe primary schools – was put under the leadership of an interim executive board (IEB).

Two interim executive headteachers, Victoria Kirkman and Chris Whitehead, oversaw all three schools.

Mr Whitehead left last October, when the schools were expected to become part of a multi-academy trust (MAT), as required by Ofsted following the ‘inadequate’ rating given to both Beckwithshaw and Ripley.

However, those plans fell through, and the chair of the IEB, Robert Ling, said the schools continued to look for a trust to join.

Miss Kirkman remains in post on an interim basis, along with co-executive headteacher Rebecca Foy. Along with Beckwithshaw’s new rating, Ripley was ranked ‘good’ in May.

While recognising the improvements that had been made, the latest Ofsted report urged the school to make long-term plans. It said:

“The current arrangements for governance have proved to be effective in supporting improvements in the school. However, the arrangements are not permanent.

“The IEB, alongside the local authority, should work with continued urgency to ensure that a transition to a sustainable and high-quality governance model is well managed, and in place as soon as possible.”

North Yorkshire Council has welcomed news of the new grade and sent its congratulations to the school.

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, learning and skills, said:

“A huge thank you to the teaching staff, pupils, parents, carers and the school community for their continued support in this remarkable journey.

“I am delighted that Beckwithshaw Primary School is now a school where children can flourish.

“The school leaders have worked closely with the interim executive board (IEB), local schools and the local authority to address previous areas of weaknesses, which has resulted in the Ofsted good grading in all areas.

“Ofsted inspectors praised the school for its positivity and stated that ‘leaders and staff are ambitious for pupils and have high expectations for the future’ and they recognised the effective approach in which maths is taught.

“We are committed to continue developing the best possible provision for the pupils and will work tirelessly to build on these successes.”

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‘Decisive plans’ improving village school near Harrogate, says Ofsted

Ofsted inspectors have praised the measures put in place to improve education at a village primary school near Harrogate.

Beckwithshaw Primary School was rated ‘inadequate’ after an inspection in December 2021.

Last year, Victoria Kirkman became interim executive headteacher of the school, along with its federated partner primary schools, Ripley Endowed C of E – which had also been rated inadequate in late 2021 – and Kettlesing Felliscliffe, which was rated ‘good’.

An interim executive board (IEB) was appointed to oversee the schools’ progress under its new leadership.

Inspectors returned to Beckwithshaw for a monitoring visit in January this year and published their report last night. While there is no new rating for the school, Ofsted wrote to interim executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman about their findings.

The report said:

“Since joining the school, you have taken swift and effective action to make improvements. You have a strong understanding of the benefits and challenges facing small schools.

“You have put clear, decisive plans in place, which set out ambitious and realistic targets for future improvement. One parent commented, ‘It certainly feels that there is a more robust leadership team in place, underpinned by the IEB and the new headteachers.’

“You have rightly prioritised the development of the curriculum and staff professional development. However, you are also acutely aware of the importance of supporting staff well-being and workload. This has ensured that staff are positive about changes that are being made.

“The atmosphere in the school is purposeful, happy and focused.”

The letter, which has also been sent to the IEB, North Yorkshire County Council and the Department for Education, praises the school’s focus on improving pupils’ reading skills.

Inspector Andrea Batley found teachers “quickly identify and give extra support” to pupils who are struggling with reading. They use the school’s approach to phonics consistently and recognise the need to adapt lessons to support all pupils.

‘Warm, caring and welcoming’

Ms Batley said Ms Kirkman has made a strong curriculum her priority across areas including personal, social, health and economic education. The inspector said changes to the curriculum were still “in the early stages” and continuing work was needed to deliver more improvements.

She wrote:

“Much has been done to improve the early years provision in the school. You have worked with staff and with local authority support to create an environment that is warm, caring and welcoming.

“Staff recognise the importance of developing children’s communication skills. They support children to use newly taught vocabulary well.

“However, it is not always clear what the intended learning is across the classroom, both indoors and outdoors. This means that some pupils are not sufficiently engaged and interested with learning.

“Leaders know that this is an area that needs more development in the future.”

Ms Kirkman has welcomed the inspector’s findings, which followed a similar monitoring visit to Ripley Primary School in December.

While Beckwithshaw remains ‘inadequate’, in line with its previous inspection, she said its recent monitoring visit was reassuring that the school is going in the right direction. She said:

“We are delighted with the outcome of the recent Ofsted monitoring visit at Beckwithshaw which recognises the significant and rapid school transformation since the previous inspection. This, coupled with the success of the Ripley monitoring visit in November, evidences that these previously ‘Inadequate’ schools are now moving forward positively.

“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 continue focus on the next  visit and continue our relentless drive for further school improvement.”

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Along with her work at Beckwithshaw, Ripley and Kettlesing Felliscliffe, Ms Kirkman is executive headteacher at Birstwith Primary School and Admiral Long Primary School in Burnt Yates, both rated ‘good’.

Last year, the three federated primary schools were preparing to join Elevate multi-academy trust, as part of an Ofsted requirement after Ripley and Beckwithshaw were rated ‘inadequate’.

However, those plans fell through when Elevate pulled out shortly before the planned conversion date of November 1.

Addressing this in the latest letter, inspector Ms Batley said:

“The IEB is very clear about their desire to bring about future stability in leadership. They know the school well and provide both challenge to leaders, and scrutiny of improvement plans. They are working closely with the local authority to identify how recent improvements can be sustained in the future.

“As a sponsoring academy trust has not been identified it is vital that ways to ensure long-term stability in leadership are identified and pursued with urgency.”

Primary schools near Harrogate face uncertain future after academy plans fall through

Three village primary schools in the Harrogate district face an uncertain future after plans to become part of a multi-academy trust fell through.

Beckwithshaw Primary and Ripley Endowed C of E schools are both required to become part of an academy after they received ‘inadequate’ ratings from Ofsted this year.

The two schools are federated, along with Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School, and as Church of England schools are also part of the Leeds diocese.

However, plans to join Elevate Multi Academy Trust (MAT) from the beginning of this month fell through shortly before the start date.

In a letter to parents, Anne Vetch, vice-chair of the schools’ interim executive board (IEB), said:

“I am sorry and disappointed to have to tell you that the Elevate Multi Academy Trust have withdrawn from their plans to sponsor and convert our schools. This is a disappointment to everyone involved in this work, particularly as the decision came so close to the expected transfer date.

“The IEB and leadership team had been expecting a conversion date of November 1 at the latest and this obviously had influenced our decision making and how we were moving things forward. To say we are taken aback is an understatement.”

While Ripley and Beckwithshaw schools are required to join a MAT because of their Ofsted ratings, Kettlesing Felliscliffe, which is rated ‘good’, is not. A consultation with parents was held earlier this year over whether to remain part of the federated schools and join the MAT.

Since the two ‘inadequate’ ratings were given last year, the three schools had had two interim executive headteachers since the spring: Victoria Kirkman and Chris Whitehead.

Mr Whitehead left during the October half-term, having expected the schools to become part of the MAT immediately afterwards. Ms Kirkman has stayed on part-time as co-executive interim headteacher, alongside her role as head of Admiral Long and Birstwith primary schools.

She will be joined by Rebecca Foy, who has been the schools’ special educational needs coordinator.

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Parents have been invited to an information evening on December 5, when representatives of the IEB, North Yorkshire County Council and the Leeds diocese will explain what could happen next.

The situation has followed a similar pattern to Woodfield Community Primary School, which was rated ‘inadequate’ and then failed to find a MAT to join. With falling roll numbers and just one pupil now attending, the school will close at the end of December.

However, leaders of the three federated schools said they are determined to find a trust to join and have confidence in the education provided by the schools.

In a statement issued through North Yorkshire County Council, Robert Ling, chair of the interim executive board at the three schools, said:

“We would like to reassure parents that we have increasing confidence in the educational standards at the three schools, which have fully responded to issues raised by Ofsted and are now firmly on an upward trajectory.

“With good quality teaching and strong leadership in place, children at all three federated schools are currently achieving in their education and feel school is a safe, happy place to be. The continued support of parents will enable the federation to look positively to the future.

“We recently received an interim Ofsted inspection and look forward to the results of this visit.

“We have returned to the regional director to resume our search for a multi-academy sponsor. In the interim the focus of all involved with the schools is on delivering the best possible educational experience for all of our children.”

Beckwithshaw primary school rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted

Beckwithshaw Community Primary School has been rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted.

The 75-pupil village school on Church Row had been consistently rated ‘good’ by inspectors since 2002 but its latest Ofsted report means the school has now been placed in special measures.

Inspectors found pupils enjoy coming to school, show good levels of concentration and listen to instructions.

They praised the school for its phonics programme and said pupils read with confidence and understanding.

But the report, which was published on Friday, criticised the learning curriculum at the school as “not fit for purpose” and “poorly planned”.

It said this has led to pupils not doing well in a range of subjects.

‘Leadership vacuum’

An interim executive headteacher and interim head of school took up their posts at Beckwithshaw in October 2021.

But the report said a “leadership vacuum” over a period of time has had a negative impact on the quality of teaching at the school. It said staff have suffered from excessive workloads and low morale.

It said that new subject leaders are aware of the “deep-rooted problems” with the school’s curriculum.

However, they “lack the training they need” to make the required changes to raise standards.

Here is how the inspectors came to the overall ‘inadequate’ rating:

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Special measures

The inspection took place over two days in December last year when inspectors observed lessons, spoke to pupils informally and had meetings with school leaders.

The report said the inspection took into account the covid pandemic and how it impacted the school.

Beckwithshaw has now been placed into special measures to drive up standards.

Special measures schools are given details on how they must improve and are regularly monitored to check that they are on track. Another inspection will take place within 12 months.

The report says:

“In accordance with section 44(1) of the Education Act 2005, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires special measures because it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement in the school.”

The school was rated ‘good’ at its last full inspection in 2012. A short inspection took place in 2016 that said the school “continues to be good”.

Beckwithshaw is currently part of a federation of three schools, along with Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School and Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School.

The school’s response

Robert Ling, chair of the interim executive board at Beckwithshaw Community Primary School, said:

“There are clear areas identified by Ofsted where Beckwithshaw Primary School can be improved and we do have a strong team around the school driving improvements at pace including the interim executive board.

“Inspectors acknowledged that the school has strengths: that pupil’s behaviour and attitude is good; that they happily play together; that they behave well in lessons and understand the importance of tolerance and respect and that children are well safeguarded.

“The phonics programme is planned well; it enables staff to support pupils to develop their phonic knowledge and skills effectively. Pupils learn how to match letters to sounds and blend them in words. The books given to pupils to practise their reading are well matched to their phonics knowledge. They read them with confidence and understanding.

“Pupils’ with an education, health and care plan are supported more effectively because they receive individual one-to-one assistance.

“We are now taking swift action to secure good leadership and improve curriculum planning across all areas of school life.

“We are proud of our pupils at Beckwithshaw and inspectors praised their good behaviour and willingness to learn. They deserve the highest standards of teaching and learning and good quality leadership and we are taking firm steps to put these in place.”

Ripley primary school seeks to join academy after ‘inadequate’ rating

A primary school in Ripley rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted this week is in negotiations to join an academy.

Ofsted’s report said parents valued Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School but was highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision.

The government schools inspector added that pupils were often distracted because work is too easy or too hard and “achieve far less than they should”.

North Yorkshire County Council, the local authority responsible for education, said today it was working with the school governors and interim school leaders to make improvements at the 49-pupil school.

The council also revealed that it was talking to the Diocese of Leeds and the regional schools commissioner to find an academy sponsor.

Academies are funded directly by the government and are run by an academy trust. Academy sponsors work with the trust to improve the performance of the school.

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Ripley is currently part of a federation of three schools, along with Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School and Beckwithshaw Community Primary School.

Putting in place improvements

Amanda Newbold, the assistant director for education and skills said:

“We are currently working with governors and interim school leaders to put in place the necessary improvements.

“The county council is working with the Diocese of Leeds and the regional schools commissioner to find an academy sponsor and to ensure the school has strong governance in place during this period of transition.

“We will work closely with the school, the wider community, parents, carers and pupils as we approach the next chapter for the school.”

Ofsted inspectors visited the school over two days in November 2021 when they observed lessons, spoke to pupils informally and met parents at the start of the day.

Here is how the inspectors came to the overall ‘inadequate’ rating:

Ofsted rates Ripley primary school as ‘inadequate’

Ofsted has rated Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School as ‘inadequate’ for the first time in the school’s history.

The 49-pupil school had a ‘good’ rating in 2011 but subsequently received ‘requires improvement’ ratings in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

The latest report, published yesterday, says pupils feel safe, safeguarding arrangements are effective and parents value the school. It also says pupils are polite and well mannered and there is no bullying in school.

But it is highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision. It is also critical of behaviour and attitudes and personal development.

Pupils, says Ofsted, are often distracted because work is too easy or too hard and “achieve far less than they should”.

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‘Inadequate’ is the lowest of four possible ratings. The report says:

“Ripley Endowed Church of England School is a warm and caring school. Pupils feel safe here. They support, help and care for each other.

“Parents value the school and the staff that work here. The quality of education that pupils receive is inadequate.

“Despite the teachers wanting the pupils to achieve, the curriculum is not designed or planned well enough to support them to do this.”

Ofsted inspectors visited the school over two days in November 2021 when they observed lessons, spoke to pupils informally and met parents at the start of the day.

Here is how the inspectors came to the overall ‘inadequate’ rating:

The Stray Ferret approached Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School for its response to the Ofsted rating. We were directed to North Yorkshire County Council, the local education authority, but it did not respond by the time of publication.

Ripley is part of a federation of three schools. The other two schools are Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School and Beckwithshaw Community Primary School.