Aladdin’s cave of learning at outstanding Honiton Primary School

Honiton Primary School has been given the highest possible accolade by education inspectors who have classed it as outstanding.

Not only do they rate the school’s overall effectiveness as outstanding. Every key area of school life also wins the top judgement.

The inspectors say the achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of pupils and the leadership and management are all outstanding too.

The three inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, delivered their verdict after a two-day visit to Honiton last month. And lead inspector Mark Anderson described the interior of the school as an ‘Aladdin’s cave of learning’ in his official report, which has just been published.

It concludes: “The head, staff and governors have worked very effectively together to significantly improve the quality of teaching and learning since the previous inspection. Pupils make better than expected progress in English and maths from the time they enter the school (and) attainment is typically well above average. The clear trend of improving attainment has been seen across all subjects over the last three years.”

Mr Anderson says that has been recognised by parents. All the parents who contacted inspectors agreed unanimously that their child was taught well and made, at the least, good progress.

Headteacher Andrea Brown said: “I am delighted with the report which is down to the dedication of the whole school team, teachers, teaching assistants, support staff, governors, parents, PTFA and, of course, the children.

“Our pupils achieve high standards as a result of outstanding teaching and an exceptionally rich curriculum which provides a varied and exciting range of learning experiences.

“I am also pleased to see the children’s exemplary behaviour and positive attitude to learning has been recognised. I am very proud of Honiton Primary and would like to use this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us and helped us to make HonitonPrimary School the very special school that it is today.

“Looking to the future we are ambitious for the school and will continue to strive to provide the very best for all our pupils. The lead inspector captured the ethos at Honiton Primary when he said: ‘The school’s motto, Good, better, best – Never let it rest until your good is better and your better best, is not just words to sum up the determination of the school to continue raising standards'."

The Ofsted inspectors say that children start at Honiton with skills at the expected level for their age but they get off to a flying start in the Early Years and they maintain outstanding progress throughout the school But they get off to a flying start in the Early Years and they maintain outstanding progress throughout the school.

Not only did the pupils who took their Key Stage 2 SATs last year achieve better than average Level 4’s but the percentage gaining the higher Level 5’s was also significantly higher than the national average.

“The teachers’ professionalism, enthusiasm and subject knowledge mean that lessons engage and inspire all pupils,” says Mr Anderson. “Teaching assistants are deployed very well.

“The exceptionally rich curriculum provides a varied and exciting range of learning experiences. Pupils have excellent attitudes towards learning (and) behaviour in lessons and around school is exemplary. elationships between staff and pupils are very good and a key strength of the school.”

Mr Anderson says the school is determined to continue raising standards.

“The head and senior leaders are united in their commitment to an ambitious vision for the school’s future,” he says. “The leadership team has a united vision for the school and has been relentless in its pursuit of the highest possible standards. he staff work exceptionally well as a team and are very supportive of each other.
“The governors provide an extremely high level of challenge and support.”

Mr Anderson’s only recommendation for improvement is for the school to make more use of its outdoor space by developing and extending the outdoor learning facilities.