Ofsted

Letter To Parents - January 2023

Shortly before the school closed for the Christmas holiday, you might recall we received a visit from Ofsted on 13th and 14th December 2022.  I am delighted to share that in our very first inspection, we have been rated ‘Good’ across all five key areas of Ofsted’s framework.

The full Ofsted report can be found below, but I wanted to share some highlights with you:

• “Pupils flourish at The Pines Primary School. They arrive each morning ready and keen to learn. Staff greet every pupil with welcoming smiles. Pupils enjoy trusting relationships with adults. This ensures that pupils settle well at school and feel safe.”
• “Pupils are polite and well mannered. They are accepting of one another and welcoming to new pupils who start at the school. As one pupil said, ‘This school is special because we have friendly relationships with one another’.”
• “Pupils are keen to reflect the school’s values, the ‘six C’s’, through their work and play. They understand the importance of demonstrating them and recognising them in one another. Weekly assemblies celebrate their achievement of the values. They help to build pupils’ pride in themselves and their school.”
• “Leaders have developed a broad and ambitious curriculum. It is well organised. It sets out clearly the things pupils need to know from their start in the early years to Year 6. Leaders ensure that their plans are regularly checked and make changes as necessary. This ensures that the curriculum is continually strengthened, so that pupils build their knowledge well.”
• “Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well. Leaders ensure that pupils’ needs are quickly identified and receive appropriate support. Pupils’ individual plans identify targets as small steps. Staff use these plans successfully to ensure pupils with SEND access the full curriculum.”
• “Leaders have ensured that there is a strong culture of safeguarding at the school. Staff are well trained and clear about their responsibilities for keeping pupils safe. They are quick to report any concerns no matter how small. Leaders take immediate action to follow up any concerns. Record-keeping is robust and detailed. Leaders tenaciously pursue any concerns, so that vulnerable pupils and families receive the help they need.”
• “The trust provides a range of training to support staff’s professional development. This has supported the development of the curriculum. Staff consider that leaders support their workload, helping them to focus on their roles in school.”

We are incredibly proud of this Ofsted report, which highlights the hard work and successes of our colleagues, Anglian Learning, our pupils, and their families.  We could not have achieved this result without your support and would like to extend my gratitude to you all for the hard work, commitment and passion you have shown towards our school.

I am pleased that the essence and strong values of The Pines Primary School has been captured in this report and that it represents our relentless drive and determination for ensuring our pupils are enthused about their learning through every aspect of school life.

Moving forward, the report has provided us with a solid benchmark that we can use to grow and reflect on to ensure we continue to go from strength to strength.

This is a wonderful achievement for the school and hope you will join me in celebrating this recognition of the excellent standards that are shown by all members of our school community.

Yours sincerely,

Kerry Darby
Headteacher