Children achieve well at ‘good’ Tiverton primary

A Mid Devon primary has improved so much that every aspect of school life is now rated good or better.

And a new report by independent education inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, says Two Moors Primary in Tiverton is well placed to get even better.

Two years ago Ofsted told Two Moors that it required improvements.

Now, following a two-day inspection, Ofsted says that the school is good across the board.

Inspectors rated its overall effectiveness as good along with the effectiveness of the leadership and management, the quality of teaching, the outcomes for pupils, the Early Years’ provision and the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the pupils.

Lead inspector Tonwen Empson says teaching and achievement have improved since the last inspection in January 2015 because of the ‘steely determination’ of headteacher Caroline Buckley.

“Since her arrival three years ago, the headteacher has shown a steely determination to create a good school,” says Ms Empson.

“Good leadership has ensured that Two Moors is a good and improving school.

“The head has led a concerted drive to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.

“The impact of this relentless drive has been that the quality of teaching has improved in all year groups since the last inspection (and) is now consistently good across the school. As a result, pupils’ outcomes are rapidly improving.

“Governors have supported this ambitious drive well and they are steadfast in their determination and ambition to ensure the school continues to improve.

“The head has created a strong core team, focused on ensuring pupils achieve well and thrive.”

Ms Empson and two colleagues from Ofsted spent two days at Two Moors last month and their report has just been published.

It says children get off to a strong start in the Nursery and Reception classes.

Children in Reception are currently on track to achieve above national outcomes at the end of this year.

The inspectors say parents are very happy with the provision in the Early Years and the approachable staff, induction process and continuing communication all help them to support their children to have a successful start to school life.

At the end of Year 2 in 2016, pupils were achieving national standards or above in reading, writing and maths.

And across the school, children are achieving at least the expected progress and often better than expected progress.

“The curriculum is well organised and pupils are interested in the learning opportunities provided at school and within the community,” says Ms Empson.

“Pupils show positive attitudes around the school. Behaviour is good (and) expectations are high throughout the school.

“There is a strong emphasis on preparing pupils for their future careers and on their social, moral, spiritual and cultural development.

“The culture of safeguarding is strong. Pupils feel safe and well looked after.”

Ms Empson says, to become an outstanding school, Two Moors should further raise achievement in reading, writing and maths and further improve communication with parents.

Today Mrs Buckley said:“Staff have worked hard over many years to develop high quality provision for children and we are delighted that the strength of the staff team has been recognised together with the children’s enjoyment in learning and pride in their work.

“We will continue to work hard to raise standards further.”