PUPILS and teachers from a small village school near Wotton are celebrating another good Ofsted result.
Hillesley Primary School was rated good in all five categories after an inspection on January 23 and 24.
Children were described by inspectors as “happy” and “caring” who “play kindly together” and “look out for one another”.
The report also praises leaders for prioritising reading, where its pupils are encouraged to read widely and frequently, and enjoy reading to the school dog Ethel.
In addition, inspectors say its curriculum is “organised” and “detailed” which supports teachers to organise learning for different ages across multi-age classes.
Ofsted also states that students benefit from “rich, meaningful and memorable learning experiences”.
Headteacher Lucy Chandler, who has been in charge since September 2022, welcomed the "brilliant news".
“I was delighted with the great news of a good outcome,” she said.
“We’d had immediate feedback from the inspectors in January that was encouraging but we were only recently able to share the outcome and full report with children, parents, staff and governors.
“With many good schools in the area, I consider the nurturing environment and an abundance of opportunities at Hillesley Primary to be the real strength of our school.
“Children, staff, parents and governors have all worked together and it is brilliant that Ofsted inspectors have recognised the fruits of that work in the behaviour, progress and achievements of our pupils!”
Chair of governors Gillian Hayward said: “The report reflects very well who we are.
“And it was really encouraging that the area for improvement identified was already in our school development plan as an area detected by the staff and governors for improvement.”
The primary - which teaches 41 children - was also highlighted as sitting “firmly” and
“deeply” within its community.
According to Ofsted, the school's vision of "growing together in learning and in life" captures the sense of unity that the small school exudes.
The report reads: “The school works effectively to ensure that pupils learn to contribute to, and draw from, their community.
“Pupils are rightly proud of their school.
“The school helps pupils to achieve well and to be fully prepared for their futures.”
It continues: “Pupils develop interests and talents through a diverse range of after-school clubs such as yoga, drama and chess.
“Outdoor learning among the sheep in the forest school enables pupils to experience and appreciate nature.”
However, to improve inspectors say leaders needs to ensure that the writing curriculum is “coherently sequenced”.
Ofsted says this will allow pupils to develop the knowledge they need to become fluent, confident young writers.
You can read the full report here - tinyurl.com/2895enc5
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