Ofsted regularly inspects schools and the aftermath of an inspection is a report which gets published online. The report shows how the inspectors rated the school on a number of key judgements.
All schools are rated on four judgements: the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and the leadership and management. Where applicable, a school will also be judged on the early years provision and the sixth form provision. Each judgement is given one of four ratings: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires Improvement’ or ‘Inadequate’.
Prior to September 2024, schools subject to graded inspections were given a one-word or two-word judgement which were generated by the judgements (noting that the quality of education was a limiting factor). But this process was scrapped and instead no judgement is given, although it can be inferred, and starting in the next academic year, schools will be given a report card.
Inspections are broken down into several different types, the most common being graded or ungraded inspections, which looks at safeguarding and the general standard of provision. There can also be a monitored inspection, which judges progress rather than the key judgements where a letter is published rather than a report, and an urgent inspection, which is triggered by a “specific concern in a specific school”.
In December, three schools in North Somerset were given a new Ofsted report. These schools fall under the North Somerset Local Authority.
St Mary’s Church of England Primary School [Portbury] – ‘Outstanding’ in behaviour and attitudes and ‘Good’ in four judgements
St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, on Church Lane in Portbury, was rated as ‘Good’ across the board with the behaviour and attitudes judged to be ‘Outstanding’. Pupils told inspectors that they “love coming to school” and appreciate that teachers make learning fun.
The curriculum, which makes clear what pupils need to learn at each stage of their school life, was described as “ambitious” by Ofsted. Reading at the school is prioritised and it ensures that pupils read a wide variety of texts.
The school creates an inclusive learning environment where all pupils are supported, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff are trained to adapt teaching so all pupils can learn the curriculum.
In some cases, pupils misread the sounds they know and “these incorrect sounds are not always addressed well by staff”. Some pupils therefore struggle to develop the fluency they need to read with confidence.
St Georges Church School – ‘Good’ across the board
St Georges Church School, on Pastures Avenue in St Georges on the outskirts of Weston-super-Mare, was widely praised by Ofsted as the school helps pupils to believe in themselves. The school has a “clear vision” of what pupils can achieve.
With support from the Bath and Wells Diocesan Academies Trust, the leadership team have brought stability to the school following a period of turbulence. The school has put in place systems to evaluate the impact of its actions.
Pupils with SEND receive the support they need in order to learn the curriculum and where appropriate, learning is adapted. The personal development offered at the school is “integral” to its work and pupils develop a mature understanding of sensitive issues.
In some subjects, assessments are not used well enough to check that pupils remember knowledge taught. Some gaps in pupils’ knowledge form as a result.
Backwell Church of England Junior School – ‘Good’ across the board
Backwell Church of England Junior School, on Church Lane in Backwell, was praised by Ofsted in its first inspection since its conversion to an academy. The school has high expectations of pupils, who strive to do their best.
The school has a strong “family feel” where pupils of all ages play well together. Enrichment activities strengthen the curriculum and pupils’ talents and interests are “celebrated”.
Pupils with the most complex needs receive bespoke curriculums which means they can learn well. Behaviour at the school is respectful and pupils show care for one another.
However, minor improvements to safeguarding are required, according to Ofsted. Record-keeping at the school is inconsistent which affects the implementation of safeguarding practices.