A large Newton Abbot primary school has again been rated good by education inspectors.
They say Highweek Primary and Nursery is a friendly, welcoming and inclusive school where pupils learn well.
“The culture of expectation is high. Staff encourage all pupils to be the best they can be,” say the inspectors.
They rate the school’s overall effectiveness as good along with the quality of education, pupils’ behaviour, attitudes and personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.
Three inspectors spent two days at the 319-pupil school in March and their report has just been published.
Highweek was previously judged as good in 2017 but this is headteacher Claire Redwood’s first Ofsted at the school.
Lead inspector Gavin Summerfield concludes:
“Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum. Within this, they identify what pupils need to learn carefully.”
“Reading is a high priority across the school. Pupils become fluent and confident readers (and) leaders have created a culture of reading for pleasure.”
“Leaders provide a range of opportunities to widen pupils’ experiences. They also take part in sporting and musical after-school clubs.”
“Pupils form positive relationships with staff and peers and say they feel safe. They trust staff and have confidence in them.”
Mr Summerfield says staff support pupils with special educational needs effectively and the school’s pastoral team provides high-quality care and support for pupils including their emotional health and well-being.
“The culture of safeguarding at this school is robust,” he says. “Staff know pupils and their families well.
“Governors and leaders work well together. Governors are supportive and know the school well.”
Mr Summerfield says to improve even more, school leaders need to ensure that the curriculum is fully implemented as intended so pupils know and can do more and the school needs to have effective communication with all stakeholders.
Headteacher Claire Redwood said:
“We are delighted that our school has been rated as a “good” school once again. It is a measure of all the hard work that the pupils, staff and governors are doing and the support we receive from families. We are very excited to welcome two year olds to join us at Highweek from September.”