Ofsted recommends next Exmouth primary school inspection be 'graded'

Ofsted inspectors are recommending the next inspection of an Exmouth primary school be a "graded" one.

The education watchdog said evidence it gathered in a visit to Withycombe Raleigh Church of England Primary School in March suggested the inspection grade "might not be as high if a graded inspection were carried out now".

Ofsted has a four-tier rating system: inadequate, requires improvement, good, and outstanding. 

The school was rated "good" in 2013 and remains so.

When inspectors judge a school to be good, the watchdog normally visits the school around once every four years to confirm it is still good.

If Ofsted finds evidence that a school would receive a higher or lower grade, the next inspection is a graded one, usually carried out within one to two years.

'A friendly and inclusive place to learn'

The report highlighted how the school is "a friendly and inclusive place to learn" and that "pupils are proud of their school".

Staff and pupils reportedly "work well together to achieve their vision of 'growing happy, caring hearts and minds'".

Ofsted said there is "a nurturing ethos" based on the school's Christian values.

The education watchdog added that pupils "enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular activities beyond the classroom" and that in most areas of the curriculum, leaders "have high expectations of all pupils' learning."

There are also high expectations for behaviour, and bullying is "extremely rare".

However, Ofsted said teachers "are not clear on the expectations for phonics" and as a result, some pupils do not learn to read as well as they should.

It added the design of the curriculum for some foundation subjects "has not yet had the intended impact", and as a result pupils "do not build a deep knowledge and understanding in these subjects".

It recommended that leaders "embed the planning for these areas" so that pupils learn well across the curriculum.

'We have already taken steps to improve' - headteacher

Headteacher Emma Jones said: "We are pleased that our school remains 'good' and that the report highlights so many of the strengths that we recognise as well as giving us a couple of targets; both in areas of current school development.

"We have already taken steps to improve these areas highlighted by the report.

"The report contains so many positive comments about our school: 'friendly and inclusive, nurturing ethos, high expectations of all pupils' learning, high expectations of behaviour, pupils are well cared for and feel happy and safe, calm and respectful atmosphere, leaders have worked hard to strengthen the curriculum, they are determined to provide the very best education for pupils'. 

"We were especially pleased that inspectors recognised our desire to develop the whole child during their time with us."

Click here to read the report.