From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, January 15, 2008

A BARNSTAPLE primary school has won high praise from independent inspectors for the outstanding care it provides for pupils and the good academic progress they make.

Inspectors from the school standards agency Ofsted rated almost every aspect of life at Forches Cross Primary and Nursery as outstanding or good.

And they say parents are overwhelmingly positive about the way the Devon County Council school looks after their children.

Their report concludes: "Forches Cross is a good school.

"There is an overwhelming sense of a warm, close community where all pupils, staff and parents are valued and well cared for.

"Pupils behave well, showing mutual respect for the adults and, increasingly, for each other.

"The overwhelming strength of the school is in its care - not just for pupils but also the parents and the community it serves.

"There are outstanding relationships with external agencies which support pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities in making progress and equip parents with skills to help their children at home."

The inspectors say teaching at Forches Cross is consistently good with some outstanding practice and this means that the school is very effective in 'adding value' to pupils' education.

Children start school with skills which are generally well below expectations for their age.

But pupils make good progress throughout the school and, by the time they leave at 11, they are attaining nationally expected standards.

"The good curriculum gives pupils a wide variety of experiences that support their development," say the inspectors. "It is enriched by inviting people from the community to work with the pupils. There is a wide range of extra-curricular clubs which pupils enjoy including gymnastics, football, tennis, dance, ICT and music."

Two Ofsted inspectors, led by David Shears, visited the 233-pupil school at the end of last year and their report has just been published.

It praises headteacher Paul Wisken and his staff for the big improvements that have been made in school performance.

"Significant improvements in recent years have been brought about through the very good strategic leadership of the headteacher who has been ably assisted by his senior management team," says Mr Shears.

"They have created a common sense of purpose amongst the staff who work effectively as a team and have high expectations of pupils.

"The outstanding care of pupils has enabled this school to create a nurturing ethos where all pupils are encouraged and supported extremely well, enabling them to make good progress in their work and become mature, thoughtful people.

"Parents recognise this and are overwhelmingly positive about the academic and pastoral care their children receive."

Mr Shears says he is confident that Forches Cross will get even better in the future because of the good leadership and management.

To continue its improvement, the school should raise standards still further in English and maths, develop speaking, listening and early writing skills for children in the Foundation Stage and step up the action it is already taking to improve the attendance of a minority of children.

A delighted Mr Wisken said: "The report provides an accurate and positive picture of our school. Forches is a good school with outstanding practice and provision for children and the parents and community it serves. Its success is due to the incredible commitment and talent of the staff and the support of parents, carers and governors.

"The school has responded well to the needs of the community and will continue to work in this positive way. As headteacher, I am proud to be associated with Forches Estate. I look forward to continuing to lead the school at the centre of an improving community in partnership with others."

NOTE TO NEWS EDS: For more information and to arrange pictures, contact Paul Wisken on 01271 343214.

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