High praise from Devon Schools

A pioneering federation which educates nearly 1,600 students in West Devon has achieved a clean sweep of highly positive judgements from school inspectors.

The Dartmoor Federation was formed three years ago and has one governing body running Okehampton College and Lydford, Bridestowe, Boasley Cross and Exbourne primary schools.

The schools all share their educational expertise and the federation provides some coordinated back office support.

All five schools were inspected separately by Ofsted last month and have all passed with flying colours.

Okehampton College has been rated outstanding in all areas of school life.

That’s a significant improvement on its last inspection, when it was rated good, as Ofsted has tightened up its inspection regime considerably in the meantime.

All four primary schools have been rated good across the board after intensive two-day inspections by separate teams of inspectors.

They say the achievement of all the pupils at Boasley Cross, Bridestowe, Exbourne and Lydford is good, the quality of teaching is good with some outstanding practice, pupils’ behaviour and safety is good as is leadership and management.

At Okehampton College, five inspectors spent two days visiting lessons and talking to staff, students, governors and parents.

They concluded: “All students make excellent progress.

“Attainment in GCSE exams has been consistently high compared to national averages. The sixth form is outstanding.”

The inspectors say the quality of teaching is consistently high across the college. Students are enthusiastic about coming to school, attendance is high and they feel happy and safe.

And more than nine out of ten parents would recommend the college to other families.

“The principal and other senior staff give a clear sense of direction that has led to outstanding teaching and student achievement,” say the inspectors.

In their reports on the primary schools, the inspectors say the federation has greatly enhanced opportunities for staff training as teachers can share their expertise and take part in shared training.

The federation governors have provided increased challenge and support for staff.

And pupils in the comparatively small village schools have had the opportunity to take part in shared trips such as a visit to the Houses of Parliament.

The inspectors say that at 74-pupil Bridestowe, the attainment of pupils has been consistently above national averages in English and maths and the children achieve well whatever their starting points.

There is a family ethos at the school, relationships are good and it has a positive learning culture.

“The quality of teaching is good with some outstanding practice,” they say.

At 49-pupil Exbourne, the inspectors say pupils make strong progress in all year groups, achieve well and have positive attitudes to learning.

Relationships between staff and pupils are a strength of the school and learning in lessons is purposeful and enjoyable.

“Pupils are taught well across the school and teaching assistants provide effective support for learning,” say the inspectors.

“Children come into school showing typical levels of development for their age and, by the time (they) leave in Year 6, their attainment is above average.”

Lydford and Boasley Cross are both led by headteacher Linda Wells.

Inspectors say there is a warm and welcoming atmosphere at 37-pupil Lydford.

Children start school with skills and understanding typical for their age but consistently achieve above average results at the end of both Key Stages 1 and 2.

“Teaching is consistently good. Teachers know their pupils well (and) have high expectations of them,” they say. “Pupils are valued as individuals.”

“Pupils behave well, participate enthusiastically in lessons and are well looked after.”

The inspectors add: “The head and governors are very well focused on school priorities and are continuing the drive for school improvement.

“This has especially been the case since the school entered into the federation and, as a result, the quality of teaching and pupils’ achievement has improved since the previous inspection.”

The inspectors say Boasley Cross is a welcoming school with warm and encouraging relationships and high quality care.

Children start at the 56-pupil school with skills close to those expected for their age but in last year’s SATs tests at the end of Year 6 they achieved above average results, especially in reading and writing.

“Teachers have high expectations about what pupils can achieve,” say the inspectors. “Teaching is outstanding for children in the Early Years class.

“Pupils’ behaviour and attitudes to learning are good. Pupils’ enjoyment of school is clear when they say: ‘learning is fun’.”

The inspectors conclude: “The head provides good leadership and is well supported by a wealth of expertise across the partner schools and within the federation’s governing body.

“By working cooperatively, senior staff and governors within the federation have improved teaching and learning since the previous inspection.

“The school is well placed to continue to improve even further.”

Dartmoor Federation chairman, Ian Courtenay, said: “The Federation governors are delighted with Ofsted's judgements which we take as confirmation that all of our schools are moving in the right direction.

“Working together, we believe that we are all stronger and we feel exceptionally well placed to continue on our journey to help all five federation schools become outstanding.

“We have made many changes since we came together in 2011, all with an unstinting focus on doing the very best for our learners.

“There is plenty more we would like to do - we believe absolutely that together we can achieve more. We, like our head teachers and every single member of staff right across the federation, will accept nothing but the best for the young people in our charge.

“I would like to thank everybody who has contributed to life in our five schools over the last three years, no matter in what capacity. Education is truly a team effort - these excellent Ofsted reports belong to you all.”

Devon County Council’s Head of Education, Sue Clarke, said: “I want to congratulate all five schools on their success.

“Devon has been leading the way in federations and this is another example of how cooperating together can help schools deliver a first class education.

“What is unusual about the Dartmoor Federation is that it involves four primary schools and their local secondary school, all working together to provide an excellent education for their community from early years through to sixth form and beyond.”