Outstanding school brings learning alive

An East Devon primary has been rated as good with outstanding features for every aspect of school life.

Education inspectors have not visited Branscombe C of E Primary for five years because it has been doing so well.

In 2008 they judged it good and now they say it is performing well with some outstanding features. And that’s despite the inspection regime being toughened up in the meantime.

Last year the primary was judged outstanding by Diocese of Exeter inspectors for its work as a church school.

Now every key element of life at Branscombe has been judged as good by the inspectors from the school standards agency Ofsted, with some of the teaching described as outstanding.

They say pupils start school with skills and abilities expected for their age.

But by the age of seven pupils are achieving standards which are significantly above the national average and they continue to achieve above average standards in the national tests in English and maths at age 11.

“Pupils achieve well across the curriculum,” says lead inspector Anne Newall.

“Teaching is good and sometimes outstanding, making use of the local environment to enrich the curriculum and bring learning alive for the pupils.

“The curriculum is interesting and is enriched by a wide range of trips and visitors.

“Provision for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils is excellent because of the strong Christian ethos and wide range of cultural activities.

“The vast majority of parents are very satisfied with the education their children are receiving.”

One parent summed up the feeling by saying the staff, ‘provide the pupils with the experiences and skills they need to venture into the wider world’.

“The pupils are proud of their school and share positive relationships with each other and with staff,” says Ms Newall.

“(They) display good attitudes to learning and behave very well.”

Ofsted spent two days at Branscombe last month and their report has just been published.

Ms Newall concludes: “Branscombe is at the heart of its community.

“It provides a caring, safe environment for the pupils in which they are nurtured as individuals.”

And, she says, it is set to get even better in the future – a view confirmed by the improvement in pupils’ achievement over the last three years.

Branscombe’s federation with Broadhembury C of E Primary under the leadership of executive headteacher Katie Gray has allowed staff to develop their teaching skills and share expertise.

Pupils have also been able to go on a range of trips with each other and work together.

“This has enabled all those involved to become part of a wider community of learners and is excellent preparation for the future education of pupils,” says Ms Newall.

The federated governing body manages both schools and has many strengths, she says.

“Governance is good. Governors share the headteacher’s determination to seek constant improvements to benefit the pupils,” says Ms Newall.

To continue its good improvement, the school should increase the proportion of outstanding teaching, ensure pupils develop the skills to work independently and have frequent opportunities to practise these skills and make sure they always have the level of challenge they need to progress.

Today Katie Gray said: “The whole school community is so pleased with the Ofsted report.

“When you see the report in its entirety it enables you to reflect that Branscombe CE Primary School is such a rewarding and wonderful place.

“I would like to thank the staff, parents, governors and village community for everything that they do for the pupils of this school and for making our inspection such a success.

“I also want to thank the children; they make every day fun and we are always so proud of them.”