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Another glowing report for East End school





The 120-pupil St Martin’s Primary School received an overall good marking (Grade II), in a recently-published Ofsted report, following a two-day inspection in May.
The school upheld the marking from a previous inspection, when there were 108 pupils. Ofsted grades range from outstanding (Grade I) to inadequate (Grade IV).
The latest report graded all aspects of the school good, including teaching.
Inspectors said that they found routines in the early years’ foundation stage were quickly established, stating that: “Children are well aware of what they are expected to do and how to behave.”
Work carried out by pupils in Year 6 was also praised, with around half making better progress than that expected for their age.
Work was carefully planned, and teachers marking was deemed very effective, with leadership and management praised.
The report said that the headteacher, Peter Shelton, who was appointed three years ago, had “quickly gained the confidence of parents, staff and governors.
Pupils’ behaviour was also marked good, with pupils listening carefully in class and responding with enthusiasm. “They say they love school and that lessons are fun”, stated the report.
Mr Shelton said that the school was delighted that the hard work and commitment of staff and pupils had been recognised.
“We remain a popular and successful school and we continue to strive to make every aspect of our school better,” he said.
All classes at the school were seen during the inspection, including nine visits to lessons with the headteacher.Discussions also took place with governors and subject leaders.
Inspectors also examined pupils’ work in Year 6, systems for checking progress and attendance records. Questionnaires from 18 members of staff and 48 responses from parents to an online questionnaire were also scrutinised.
However, to improve further, the report said that the school needed to increase the amount of outstanding teaching and improve the quality of reading.
Mr Shelton said that the next important development at the school was the provision of two new classrooms, to be built during the summer holidays, along with improvements to the library and the outdoor learning areas.
The building work is set to start after planning permission was gained last year in the face of opposition from 19 households in the village, which comprises some 30 houses.
Villagers had feared that development of the Stargrove Lane site, would increase the number of vehicles dropping off and collecting children from the school, in an area where agricultural machinery and horse riders share the narrow lanes with motorists.
However Mr Shelton pointed out that their fears were “largely unfounded” as there were no plans to increase the overall capacity of the school. “The school will continue to operate with five classes, as at present, and there are still no plans to create any further classes,” he said.



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