High praise – but a ‘shock’ rating
St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School has been left ‘shocked and disappointed’ by a ‘requires improvement’ Ofsted rating – despite receiving ‘extremely positive’ praise in much of the report.
Inspectors from the education watchdog completed a two-day inspection at the Altwood Road school on January 12.
A report, published on March 28, rated the school as ‘outstanding’ for its pupil behaviour and personal development. It was also rated ‘good’ for the quality of education and early years provision.
But the school, which is part of the Frassati Catholic Academy Trust, received an overall effectiveness rating of ‘requires improvement’ due to concerns over leadership and management.
Inspectors said trustees do not have a thorough enough understanding of the school with the relationship between the school and trustees described as ‘too distant’.
The report pointed to inconsistencies in record-keeping as one area that required improvement.
In a letter to parents and carers, headteacher Jennifer Camp-Overy said: “Although we are shocked and disappointed by the overall effectiveness grade given and do not believe those words are an accurate or helpful description for what is clearly a highly effective school and nursery, we hope it reassures you that the actual inspection report and grading of individual areas are extremely positive.”
Mrs Camp-Overy said the school made a formal complaint to Ofsted about how the inspection was handled but this did not result in a change to its overall effectiveness rating.
The report described the school as a ‘deeply inclusive and welcoming community’ where bullying is not tolerated.
Inspectors said teachers act as a ‘roadblock to bullying’ and pupils are supported to learn from their mistakes.
Pupils are motivated to work hard at St Edmund Campion and youngsters are given the opportunity to develop their gifts and talents.
The report found pupils behave exceptionally well throughout the day and throughout the school children cherish the increasing diversity of the community.
Inspectors noted ‘extremely warm and respectful’ relationships between pupils and adults in the school.
Youngsters also demonstrated their desire to be ‘upstanders’ in the community where they will act when it is needed.
After reading ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’ pupils organised a collection of books and other materials to support refugees living in the borough.
Gaynor Rennicks, chair of the Frassati Catholic Academy Trust, told parents and carers in a letter that experienced directors have been appointed to the trust’s board to strengthen governance at the school.
The trust said it has the ‘upmost confidence’ in headteacher Jennifer CampOvery and highlighted the ‘outstanding’ ratings given by Ofsted over her leadership on behaviour and personal development at the school.