SelbyPost 17 January 2013. - Global Title

Thursday, January 17th, 2013
‘We are like one
big family...’
by Kim Law
Barlow Primary School impressed Ofsted
inspectors on a recent visit by showing rapid
improvements in all areas.
The school was described as 'Good' by inspectors,
and received an 'Outstanding' judgement for the
behaviour and safety of its pupils.
Following an inspection on December 13, 2012,
the school has now been judged as having a good
overall effectiveness, which is an improvement on
the last inspection when the school was judged as
satisfactory.
Improvements were visible to inspectors and are
made clear in the inspection report which was
released last week.
The report states that the achievement of pupils
has improved rapidly since the previous inspection
and is good.
The report reads: "Attainment is above average
and pupils make good progress at all stages. Pupils
work hard and enthusiastically and the school
prepares them well for the future."
The report also states that the quality of teaching
has improved and is good.
It reads: "Teachers have good subject knowledge
and plan lessons that pupils enjoy. Teaching has a
sharp focus on pupils progress."
The leadership and management within the
school was also described as good as inspectors
reported that: "Leadership and management,
including the governing body, have become much
more thorough in checking on the quality of
teaching since the previous inspection.
"Astute staffing appointments have been made
that are driving improvement strongly forward."
Despite the high praise from officers in three of
the key areas, it was the behaviour and safety of
pupils at Barlow Primary which inspectors were
most impressed with - as they judged this as
outstanding.
Within the report, it states: "Pupils enjoy school
greatly and are exceptionally proud of it which is
shown in their above average attendance.
"Their behaviour is exemplary in lessons and
around school and they have exceptionally positive
attitudes to learning.
"They feel very safe in school and pupils treat
each other and the adults working with them with
great respect."
One pupil is quoted in the report saying: "We are
like a big family, really. We fall out sometimes but
Barlow headteacher John Donelly with some of
his ʻoutstandingly well behavedʼ pupils.
(17-01-46 EF)
it doesn’t last long and we are all good friends
again soon after."
These comments relating to the outstanding
behaviour and safety of pupils at the school
particularly pleased the headteacher, Mr John
Donnelly, who said he was thrilled with the recent
report.
Mr Donnelly said: "We are all really pleased with
the outcome of our latest inspection as it reflects all
of the hard work which has been put in by
everybody involved with the school.
"In particular, I am thrilled with the comments
relating to the outstanding judgement of children's
safety and behaviour as that is one of Barlow
Primary's top priorities.
"I was confident that we were going to do well in
this inspection, as we have met all of Ofsted's
requirements since the last inspection in February
2010 and all our hard work was bound to pay off.
"The inspection in December only lasted one
day, as it was very sharp and short, and the
children and staff were all excellent on the day,
which made me even more confident.
"Next time we are aiming for overall
outstanding and I am more than satisfied that we
can achieve that!"
It seems the school was extremely close to
getting top marks from inspectors this time
around, as the recent report only picks out two
reasons explaining why it is not yet an outstanding
school
The first one is 'the proportion of pupils making
more than expected progress is not yet high
enough to be outstanding'.
One other point is mentioned, which seems to be
holding Barlow Primary back from achieving the
overall outstanding mark: "Leaders and managers,
including the governing body, know what needs to
be done to improve the school further.
"However, planning for the future lacks some
precision and is therefore not as effective as it
might be.
"To improve further, the school needs to sharpen
plans for improving the school so that the impact
of proposed actions can be judged more
accurately."
Find us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/SelbyPost
Selby Post is now ONLINE @: www.selbypost.info
PAGE NINE