Last updated at 20:17, Thursday, 29 March 2012

Maryport's Ewanrigg Junior School is good with some outstanding aspects, government inspectors said.

OFSTED PRAISE: Ewanrigg Junior School headteacher Yvonne Craig, centre, with pupils Ewan Laverty, Robbie Faulder, Simone Fisher, Liam Holt, Reece Pocklington and Sandra Birkett, chairman of the governors

Ofsted inspectors visited the school earlier this month.

Their report said the school would have been rated as outstanding but had failed to reach national levels of attainment in English and maths because of a high proportion of children with special needs.

However, they said that progress was being made and the school received an overall “good” rating in every category.

The key findings showed that Ewanrigg was a good school where pupils were ready to learn. They were well taught, made good progress and achieved well.

The inspectors added that the governing body, although supportive, was not holding leaders fully to account.

The school provided excellent care and support, particularly for pupils whose circumstances made them vulnerable, disabled pupils and those with special educational needs and helped many of them to make outstanding progress.

Teaching overall was found to be good with some that was outstanding.

Lessons were well structured so that pupils learned at a good rate, and the curriculum was carefully matched to pupils’ needs so that targeted pupils were taught in small groups, helping to accelerate their progress.

Pupils’ behaviour was typically good and they felt safe and secure in school, free from bullying.

Headteacher Yvonne Craig’s leadership was described as “strong and vibrant, ensuring a cohesive team with a clear common focus.”

Areas for improvement for the school dealt mainly with the need to improve maths and English by challenging the more able pupils, allowing more independent working and introducing more project work.

Miss Craig said she was delighted with the report, which had recorded significant improvement from the last inspection three years ago.

She praised staff, governors and the school community their determination to meet the challenges.

First published at 19:23, Thursday, 29 March 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk