A Malvern school is celebrating being rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, after a previous inspection found it required improvement.
Inspectors visited Malvern Wells CE Primary School at the end of June and have now published their report, which says pupils “feel safe, enjoy life at school and thrive”.
According to Ofsted: “Parents and carers share their children’s enthusiasm for the education provided. They value how well staff treat pupils as individuals.”
The report also praises the quality of teaching at the school and its work with pupils with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).
Headteacher Jen Alford, who joined the school a year ago, is also singled out for praise.
Inspectors say in the report: “The headteacher has tackled the issues identified in the previous inspection report with great energy and good judgement.
“She has secured the confidence and commitment of staff.”
Ofsted said that in order to improve further, staff in subject leadership roles should have the chance to develop their leadership skills as "too much responsibility has fallen to the headteacher".
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Mrs Alford said: “We are delighted to have secured a good Ofsted after one academic year.
“We had a huge mountain to climb when we started last September, and it’s been somewhat gruelling for the staff.
“It’s always a big change when there’s a new headteacher and we really set about changing the culture at the school.
“A lot of that was based around our new vision, which is ‘Every child comes to school to let their light shine’.
“We have worked hard on forming relationships with the children and our focus throughout the year has not been that we have to be good for Ofsted, but that we have to be good for the children.”
The school runs a Best Seats cafe on Friday mornings, when parents and carers are invited to enjoy coffee, cakes and cookies, and to celebrate the children who have impressed their teachers that week.
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Pupils have also been getting out and about in the community, taking part in litter picks and visiting local care homes.
“We’re a small school and one of our strengths is our community,” said Mrs Alford. “These activities help the children realise the impact they have on other people’s lives.
“And we teach them that we don’t only work hard for ourselves, but also for each other.”
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