From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, July 14, 2008

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A PIONEERING federation between three small North Devon schools has been highly praised in two separate reports by independent education inspectors.

Lynton, Parracombe and Kentisbury primary schools came together as the West Exmoor Federation under one executive headteacher and a single governing body.

Last month Lynton and Parracombe were both visited by inspectors from the school standards agency Ofsted and their reports have just been published.

Denise Morris, who inspected Parracombe, concludes: "This is a good school with many strengths.

"As a result of federating, many new and exciting opportunities have been created and these are valued by the pupils.

"Pupils in Year 6 explained how they now had more friends so they feel better prepared for secondary education.

"The sharing of resources between the schools has led to increased staff expertise and improved curriculum experiences for all pupils.

"They like the way they now work with pupils from the other schools and have whole-federation enrichment days. Pupils say, because of the changes, they have many more learning opportunities."

Ms Morris says Parracombe rates a good judgement for overall effectiveness, achievement and standards, personal development, teaching and learning, curriculum, leadership and management and the Foundation Stage.

Pupils are well cared for and the school has clear plans to move forward. But it should ensure parents have more information about the benefits of federation and how exciting pupils and staff find the new developments.

At Lynton, Ofsted inspector Laurie Lewin says the federation has helped the school move from a situation where it needed significant improvements to becoming a satisfactory and improving school.

"Significant improvement in teaching has resulted in pupils' standards and achievement improving at a good pace," he says. "The school's very clear assessment information shows that pupils' progress has accelerated a great deal since last year.

"Teachers have worked extremely hard (and) come a long way in a short time through increased staff training and good quality support from the local authority."

Mr Lewin says pupils' personal development and well-being and their care, guidance and support is all good. There is a friendly, family atmosphere throughout the school.

"Parents comment on the fact that staff know their children very well and cater sensitively for their needs. They are right," he says.

Pupils behave well and one told him: "One of the best things about our school is that you know everybody and everybody helps each other."

"Good leadership and management have helped the school improve at a good rate over the last year," concludes Mr Lewin.

"Headteacher Jayne Peacock does a very good job of helping staff work together as an enthusiastic team, fully committed to driving up the quality of provision and standards. Governors carry out their roles well (and) the school has a good capacity to keep on improving.

"There is evidence that the sharing of expertise between the schools has had a positive impact on the school's good rate of recovery and progress this year.

"Staff also rightly recognise there is further potential for accruing even more benefits from the federation."

Today Mrs Peacock said: "I am absolutely delighted with the extremely positive outcomes of both inspections.

"They are a genuine reflection of the good quality of all-round education that each school provides for its children.

"I am also pleased the inspections have positively endorsed the fact that federating has effectively enhanced the opportunities that we can offer the children.

"Both inspections also acknowledged the dedication and relentless hard work of my staff and for this I would like to publicly thank them.

"Clearly, despite the success of both inspections, there is still room for further improvement and my staff, governors and I are fully committed to ensuring that we strive towards passionately pursuing educational excellence with our children and community."

NOTE TO NEWS EDS: For more information and to arrange pictures, contact Jayne Peacock on 01598 753309.

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