Inspectors praise caring Goodleigh school with rising standards

CHILDREN AT a North Devon village school are flourishing because of the caring environment and deep commitment to raising standards, say education inspectors. They say there has been significant and rapid improvement at Goodleigh Church of England Primar

CHILDREN AT a North Devon village school are flourishing because of the caring environment and deep commitment to raising standards, say education inspectors.

They say there has been significant and rapid improvement at Goodleigh Church of England Primary over the past 18 months and pupils are achieving above average standards.

"Parents are very strongly supportive of the school," say the inspectors from the school standards agency Ofsted.

One said her son had a 'new thirst for learning' while another said the school had gone from strength to strength in the last 18 months.

"Inspection evidence shows the parents' positive views are entirely justified," says lead inspector Grahame Sherfield.

"This is a good school where there has been significant and rapid improvement."

He says, for several years, academic standards were broadly average.

But the school raised its expectations of what the children could achieve, improved teaching and carefully tracked pupils' progress - and that has resulted in significant improvements.

"Progress has clearly accelerated rapidly and is now good throughout the school," says Mr Sherfield. "Pupils are achieving well and standards are above average."

He says good teaching involves well-planned lessons which meet the needs of all pupils.

"The staff go to great lengths to bring in outside expertise to ensure pupils in this small school have a wide range of opportunities," says Mr Sherfield.

"Pupils value the wide range of interesting activities, including the residential and other visits and the visitors to school."

Their behaviour is good and attendance is above average.

"Pupils are very well known by staff and their progress in their work and personal development is monitored well," he says.

"This is an inclusive and very caring school which devotes great energy to meeting the differing needs of all."

Mr Sherfield praises Goodleigh head teacher Claire Grant for her leadership of the school since joining in November, 2007.

"(She) has made an outstanding contribution to the rapid improvement of the school," he says.

"(She) is very strongly committed to the welfare and progress of all pupils and is supported by a governing body that fulfils its role well and provides good challenge and support."

Mr Sherfield says every aspect of life at Goodleigh is good or outstanding and the school has a good capacity to get even better.

To do this it should be more systematic in identifying what children should learn next in the Early Years, share leadership and management roles amongst new staff and give pupils a better understanding of the diverse nature of British society.

A delighted Claire Grant said today: "We are all really pleased with the inspection verdict.

"It is a recognition of the commitment of the entire school community at Goodleigh and a rich reward for the whole-hearted contribution of staff, governors, parents, pupils and the wider community.

"We are all committed to continuing the school's improvement and looking forward to it becoming even better in the years ahead.