News Ofsted praise for village school
A village primary school has been given an outstanding Ofsted report.
Home-upon-Spalding Moor Primary School was rated a good school with outstanding features in a report by the education watchdog.
Inspectors said the school was above average in all key subjects by the end of Year 6 and added that pupils' personal development and well-being - including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development - was 'outstanding'.
Ofsted also found a strong community spirit at the school, with pupils helping others and carrying out responsibilities such as volunteering to be members of the school council.
The inspectors said there was no complacency at the 288-pupil school and that it had 'good capacity' for further improvement in the future.
Head teacher Mark Alston said he was delighted with the Ofsted report.
"We feel it reflects the skills and strengths of the school and I think it's a fair assessment," he said.
"They recognise not just the standards we have achieved but the wider education the children get here.
"The inspector told us she hasn't been at a school like ours for a long time now, which really is at the centre of the community."
Mr Alston added: "We have plenty of potential for further improvement.
"We'll certainly be looking at the science standards because, although standards in English, maths and science are all above the national average, science is not quite as high as the other two, so we'll try and lever that up if we can."
For years now Holme Primary has been renowned as one of the top schools in the region, with parents doing their utmost to get their children into the high-performing school.
Some have been known to move house just to get into the catchment area and give their children a better chance of getting a place there.
According to the inspectors, children learn so well at the school because of high teaching standards.
Most lessons were found to have a fast pace, with teachers using electronic white-boards, games and learning aids to explain new ideas and capture pupils' attention.
The education watchdog said pupils are supported "extremely well" by an "excellent" programme of personal education and a valued merit system that rewards good work, attitudes and thoughtful deeds.
The report added that attendance was good and pupils said they enjoyed school.
Behaviour was excellent and older pupils had very good self-discipline and a strong work ethic.
Volunteer programmes such as the school council, together with the development of good basic skills, prepared pupils well for future education and work.
Ofsted said Mr Alston provided good leadership that was rooted in the drive for high standards.
They also praised the whole teaching staff for working hard to meet pupils' differing needs and having high expectations in terms of work and behaviour.
To improve further, Ofsted said the school should increase the range of investigative work in science, so standards are raised to match those in English and maths.
Published on 8th May 2008 in News.
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