Rise’s partnership with Swannington CE Primary School celebrated after glowing Ofsted report
Pupils and staff at Swannington CE Primary School celebrated after receiving a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating from the education watchdog.
The school, which is currently part of a different multi-academy trust but has been working closely with Rise over 2021, received glowing praise for pupils and staff from the inspectors. In their opening remarks, inspectors noted that: “Pupils believe that their school’s slogan, ‘Happy Children, Successful Learners’, sums up Swannington perfectly. They enjoy coming to school each day and feel very safe there.”
They added “Behaviour is good at the school. Pupils follow the Calm Code, which they helped to write…They move around the school in a calm way. They pay attention in class and do their best.”
Swannington currently benefits from a member of the Rise team acting as interim Executive Headteacher, as well as accessing educational and operational support.
Inspectors praised leaders for “ensuring that the quality of education at Swannington is good.” They noted that “The interim executive headteacher, well supported by the head of school, is very ambitious for the school and for every pupil. Her message of ever-higher expectations, combined with wise actions, has had a positive impact across the board” and that “staff are unanimous in their acclaim for the school’s senior leadership.”
Jo Westaby, Executive Headteacher, said: “Our pupils are the shining stars of our school, and it is wonderful to see so many incredible comments about them throughout this report.
“This school is about community, and being linked to Rise has only echoed and strengthened everything that makes this school special and unique.”
Focusing on the education provided at the school, inspectors also found that:
- The education pupils receive is good. Staff make sure that pupils learn to read well. Children begin learning their phonics from their very first week in school. Pupils told us how ‘every lesson is amazing!’ and that lessons help them to learn lots of things.
- Mathematics is a strength of the school…Teachers give pupils demanding work. However, because it is interesting, pupils want to pay attention. They know that if they do, they can be successful.
- Pupils also learn important things about relationships, and the need to respect everyone.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff help them to learn and remember important knowledge within the curriculum. This means that these pupils achieve well.”
Jo added: “This outcome has been achieved through a real sense of partnership. Parents, pupils, staff, governors and senior leaders have all needed to work collectively and collaboratively.
“This is a very special day for our school.”