By Andrew Clarke

Last updated at 12:06, Thursday, 05 April 2012

ORGILL School is celebrating a positive report from government inspectors.

The Egremont primary school, which has 188 pupils on its roll, was judged to be “good” – the second highest grading possible – in all five areas scrutinised.

A team from Ofsted spent two days in school in February, observing 10 teachers and visiting nine lessons to reach its judgements.

It found that: “It is an energetic community providing a purposeful, caring environment where pupils enjoy learning.

“Parents, rightly, feel that their children are safe and looked after well. Pupils make good progress from their starting points in the Early Years Foundation Stage so that, by the end of Key Stage 2, their attainment is broadly average in English and mathematics and their achievement is good.

“The school is not outstanding overall because teaching does not yet promote outstanding achievement.

“Teaching is good. Positive relationships between staff and pupils motivate the pupils. Good questioning in lessons extends pupils’ language and learning effectively.

“Pupils’ behaviour is consistently good, both in lessons and around school. They show good levels of engagement, courtesy and cooperation. Pupils make a significant contribution to the smooth running of the safe school environment. Good behaviour is recognised by parents and carers.

“The headteacher and senior leaders know the school’s strengths and weaknesses and are constantly driving improvement.

“Children make a good start in the Early Years Foundation Stage because of the good quality of teaching, care and support they receive. Stimulating activities are well chosen and children have plenty of opportunities to explore the world around them, both indoors and outdoors, ensuring that children’s love of learning starts at this early stage.

“Lesson observations show that children are already behaving well. They play successfully together, while enjoying friendships.

“Good progress is sustained through Key Stages 1 and 2 so that, when pupils leave in Year 6, their attainment is broadly average.

“Achievement is good for all groups of pupils, including disabled pupils and those with special educational needs and those known to be eligible for free school meals.

“Teaching assistants are proficient at clarifying teachers’ explanations for individual pupils and ensuring that they understand fully the concepts that are being taught. The school has initiated a wide range of activities in order to improve pupils’ writing and these have been particularly effective for boys.

“Teaching is characterised by a positive climate for learning and a strong sense of purpose.

“Pupils, clearly, enjoy coming to school.”

The inspectors concluded that to improve further the school must improve the quality of teaching to outstanding and consequently raise achievement, and ensure that the goals to be achieved through the school’s improvement plan are more specific in order to raise attainment and improve pupils’ progress.

First published at 11:07, Thursday, 05 April 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk