School takes cheer from latest report
SIKH PRIMARY HAS MADE PROGRESS IN MANY AREAS
PUPILS at a Derby primary school are celebrating after their most recent Ofsted inspection showed it had got better in many key areas.
But despite improvements such as in pupils’ personal development, which was judged to be “outstanding”, and behaviour and early years provision being graded “good”, Akaal Primary School was told it still requires improvement.
This was the same judgement as in 2018 – the first Ofsted inspection in the Sikh faith school’s history – but the latest inspection, together with the positive comments in the newly-published report, have been cause for optimism among the staff and pupils.
Headteacher Julie Fellowes said: “We are proud of the positive outcomes in our report and remain committed to ensuring we are outstanding in all areas.
“There is so much more to the life of a school than Ofsted can see in their short visit and, whilst it is disappointing to receive some requires improvement judgements, it is important to remember that this represents three small points which we had identified as part of our school improvement work and were addressing even when the inspection took place. Our curriculum mapping is almost complete, we are undertaking a full phonics training programme from September, which was not available during Covid time, and we have revised our special educational needs in class plans to make the targets clearer.”
The inspection took place at the 202-pupil Grange Avenue school in early March, and the subsequent report said that pupils say they are happy “at this inclusive school and that they feel safe” and one pupil told the inspectors: “It’s like being one big happy family”.
The report says that pupils know about “acceptance, respect, kindness and selflessly serving others”. It continues: “Pupils enjoy receiving lanyards when they have been creative, taken a risk or completed a challenge. Pupils behave well. They say that any rare instances of bullying are dealt with quickly. Staff provide pupils with an enormous variety of activities to develop their talents and interests.”
Personal development comes in for particular praise and the school’s leaders are said to “have thought carefully about the provision for pupils’ personal development. It is exceptional.
“This curriculum ensures that pupils have many opportunities to learn about, for example, diversity, safety, life skills, finance and keeping a healthy body and mind. There are specific lessons that help to promote an understanding of British and Sikh values, resilience and how to be good, active citizens”.
In order to improve further, the school has been told it needs to:
■ Ensure that there is clarity around the knowledge and vocabulary that staff want pupils to learn.
■ Address a lack of staff training on phonics.
■ Improve targets set for pupils with special educational needs.
One parent, who did not wish to be named, said: “I am very lucky to have my child at the school. From a timid and unconfident child she became a confident and full of knowledge child.”
Akaal Primary School will be inspected again in the next 30 months.