Staff, pupils, governors and parents at Clifton Primary School near Penrith are celebrating this week after OFSTED praised their commitment to helping children to do their best and the 'exemplary' behaviour of the school's pupils.
Inspectors, who visited the school in May, said that headteacher Margaret Hartley was a 'charismatic and dynamic' headteacher who, with the support of all staff, promotes strategies to prepare pupils well for life. They also highlighted the smooth running and happy atmosphere of the school.
The report noted that, since the school's last inspection in October 1999, all shortcomings had been tackled successfully, and the school has the capacity to improve further.
Other aspects highlighted in the report include:
- The school is a good and very welcoming school that gives good value for money
- The children settle quickly into school, make good progress and attain standards close to those expected for their age.
- The results of the 2005 national test for 11 year olds in English, mathematics and science show that the children made good progress in years 3 to 6 and the school exceeded its challenging targets
- Teaching and learning is good, but the school knows that it needs to make further use of information from assessment and to provide additional training for staff to support individual pupils of all abilities who need extra help to raise attainment. This work has already started in the school
- The curriculum is good and provides rich experiences for the pupils
- Teachers have high expectations of work and behaviour, set challenging tasks and work at a good pace. Resources are used effectively, and teaching assistants make a valuable contribution to learning
- Pupils have very good relationships with each other and with staff, and this makes a positive contribution to their learning
- Teachers know their pupils well and show high levels of concern and care if they are hurt or upset. Pupils are adamant that there is no bullying; they say they would readily turn to an adult if they were worried or upset
- Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make similar progress to other children because they are identified early and given good help
- Systems for self-evaluation are well established and take account of the views of parents and pupils. Governors, several of whom are recent appointments, are committed to helping the school and have plans to develop their roles
- There is a strong emphasis on personal development which clearly underpins learning and contributes to the good progress of pupils
Headteacher Margaret Hartley said:
'I am very pleased with this OFSTED report as it reflects the commitment and hard work that is put in to making our school a very happy, successful school by the entire team - children, staff, governors and parents, and indeed the wider community as well."
"We have all worked really hard to create a whole team, whole school approach and this was recognised by the inspector who made special mention of it in his report."
Angela Murray, Chair of Governors, added:
"This OFSTED report recognises all the hard work and commitment from all staff, children, parents and governors."
Notes for Editors
Clifton Primary School is a Community School for 4 - 11 year olds
Ofsted inspected the school on 23 and 24 May 2006, led by Mr Arthur Allison
The school was previously inspected in February 1999