Inspirational leadership at South Molton school
INSPIRATIONAL leadership and an outstanding attitude towards healthy lifestyles is helping to give pupils at a South Molton school the best start in life, according to its latest Ofsted report. Inspectors visiting South Molton Infants School were particu
INSPIRATIONAL leadership and an outstanding attitude towards healthy lifestyles is helping to give pupils at a South Molton school the best start in life, according to its latest Ofsted report.
Inspectors visiting South Molton Infants' School were particularly impressed by pupils' willingness to learn, their healthy and safe living, and by the caring support they receive from staff. They said the North Road school was a "good" school with an "exceptionally calm and welcoming ethos".
Lead inspector Alex Baxter said the school was at the heart of its community and that good teaching was underpinned by the staff's secure first-hand knowledge of individual pupils.
The report said pupils enjoyed their learning and made good progress through the school. They behave well, feel safe, work together and many show good skills in speaking and listening and are very willing learners.
It also said that previous issues surrounding handwriting and the performance of pupils of high ability had been tackled effectively.
"All groups of pupils now achieve well, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those from minority ethnic backgrounds," the report said.
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"An increasing number of pupils are attaining higher than average levels in mathematics and writing although this is not yet the case in reading.
"These developments, together with good self-evaluation and an accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school, show a good capacity for continued improvement."
Inspectors said head teacher Pat Fewings, staff and governors work closely with other schools and specialist staff and run the school well.
"Under the inspirational leadership of an experienced head teacher, the school is steering an effective course through a period of staffing instability," it said.
Mrs Fewings said: "The inspector complimented the teamwork as a strength of the school and I am very proud to be part of that team.
