Schools' delight at Ofsted report

Hard work and a team effort has helped transform a school that was classed as failing six years ago, says a head teacher.

Woodcote Primary School, in Ashby, has been graded as "good" by Ofsted inspectors.

It comes after the school was put into special measures in 2005 for a year, after it was judged to be failing to provide an adequate education for children.

But the latest report said the school had a caring and welcoming atmosphere, where pupils felt safe and secure and were well behaved and lessons were calm and orderly.

Head teacher Ian Watson, who has been at the school for the past four years, said: "We're very pleased with the outcome of the inspection.

"It confirms what the staff, governors, pupils, parents and the local community already know, that Woodcote is a good school.

"It's the result of a lot of hard work by everyone involved. It's been a real team effort."

However, Mr Watson said he would not be resting on his laurels.

"The work begins now to move Woodcote from good to outstanding," he said.

Outstanding is the top judgement any school can be awarded by inspectors.

Pupil Daniel Wilkins, 11, said: "I like Woodcote because we've got a good team spirit and teachers are patient. They help me learn."

Harriet Mosedale, 10, said: "We do lots of sport which keeps us healthy and we enter lots of different events like singing in the Young Voices concert and the Ashby Schools' concert, which was ace."

The Ofsted report, which followed a two-day inspection last month, said teachers were committed to improving children's achievement and, as a result of their hard work, pupils' progress was accelerating.

They said effective systems were in place for tracking pupils' achievement and for supporting children who were not meeting expectations.

It also highlighted additional activities including the school's breakfast club, which allowed pupils to develop their social skills and enjoy nutritious food.

Mr Watson was praised by inspectors, who said he was held in high esteem by governors, parents and carers. However, areas for improvement included increasing the amount of good and outstanding teaching through focused lesson planning, giving pupils more opportunities to assess their own learning and increased target setting.

In addition, inspectors said pupils' knowledge and understanding of other cultures needed to be developed.

Stephen Parker, chairman of the school's governing body added: "We're pleased to be working with such an enthusiastic management team and dedicated staff who are committed to raising pupil standards in education, as well as personal and social development."

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