School is ‘making progress’ to get out of special measures

Mountfield and Whatlington CofE Primary School was placed in special measures last summer after it was branded ‘inadequate’ in an Ofsted report.

As a result, the school is now subject to a series of follow up inspections to monitor its progress.

Ofsted inspector Sheila Browning visited the school on March 20 and 21 and observed the school’s work, scrutinised documents and met with the executive headteacher, members of staff, groups of pupils, a representative from the Interim Executive Board and a representative from the local authority.

The inspector’s recently-published report revealed that pupils’ progress is accelerating in reading, writing and mathematics, although attainment is still below national expectations.

Pupils are “actively involved in their learning” and “beginning to become independent learners”.

The report highlighted improvements in teaching, with strengthened lesson plans.

Assessments of pupils’ attainment and progress are “robust and accurate”, with regular pupil progress meetings.

The report praised often exemplary relationships between staff and pupils.

It added that executive headteacher Barbara Gill and the head of school “share a constant drive and determination to tackle the areas for improvement” while staff say they feel more supported.

Since Ofsted’s previous monitoring inspection, the school’s governing body has been replaced by an interim executive board (IEB). Board members were selected for their experience in working with schools in a ‘category of concern’.

Significant building works and refurbishment are being carried out on site.