Headteacher says steps already taken to address Ofsted concerns

The Donington Cowley Primary School has been told by Ofsted inspectors that it “requires improvement”.

A report said personal development, behaviour and early years provision at the school were “good,” but leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment and outcomes for pupils were not up to par.

Headteacher Marina Faulkner said steps have already been taken to address concerns raised in the report, published last week following an inspection at the end of February.
The report said the school must ensure “all teachers have the highest expectations and aspirations for all pupils.”

It said: “Not all teachers in key stage 2 have the highest expectations of pupils. Teachers do not routinely set tasks that sufficiently challenge the middle and higher attaining pupils in reading and mathematics.
“The governing body does not receive information about pupils’ attainment and progress often enough to hold leaders fully to account for the school’s performance.  
“Senior leaders and subject leaders do not monitor the quality of teaching and learning rigorously enough.”
 
Many positives were also noted at the 253-pupil Towndam Lane school.

The report said: “The curriculum is broad and balanced” and “pupils enjoy their learning.”
It added: “The school has created a caring and supportive ethos where pupils feel safe.
“Pupils behave well. They are polite and considerate and bullying is rare.”

It was also said that pupils make good progress in writing, teaching of phonics is effective and disadvantaged pupils make rapid progress.

Mrs Faulkner said: “We have worked quickly as a committed and professional team to address any identified areas.  
“Because of the length of time it has taken for Ofsted to publish the report, we have already completed the majority of the recommendations that the inspectors made.

“We all care deeply about the children and we will continue to work hard to achieve the very best for them.  
“As a school we care passionately about providing opportunities for each child to develop a love of learning and a care and respect for each other.”

The school was said to be “good” across the board at its previous inspection in March 2013.