School's African link

Inspectors described the Rectory Gardens school's cultural development as very good, particularly its links with the Trust International School in Guinea, West Africa.

Head Janet Sharp said: "We are delighted with the report. We have links with the school and, as well as our teachers recently going out there, Mr Fengai Monde, one of the head teachers out there, came to visit our school last week.

"Year three children do a topic on Africa and we also have an African week, where the children are exposed to art, dance, geography and music."

Ofsted inspectors said in their report: "The recent link with a school in Guinea provides excellent opportunities for pupils' cultural development and is having a profound impact on pupils' understanding of life in Africa."

The school was described as "very good" overall and according to inspectors, the excellent leadership of the headteacher and very good teaching lead to pupils' high standards and very good achievement.

The head, senior teachers and governors are committed to high standards and there are very good standards in English, maths and science.

Pupils' basic skills in literacy, maths and ICT are applied effectively in all subjects and pupils achieve very well throughout the school.

Strong Christian values underpin everything the school strives to achieve. Special educational needs children make very good progress.

There is excellent enrichment of learning through activities outside lessons.

Achievement is very good, with children entering reception classes with standards below those expected in numeracy and literacy and achieving very well by the time they get into year one.

Standards are well above national averages by the end of year two in reading, writing, maths and science and above in ICT.

A denominational inspection revealed the positive leadership from the head ensures the school is warm and caring. The school was commended on its religious education.