Good Ofsted for Thatcham school

Francis Baily School has been rated as a good and rapidly improving school by inspectors

FRANCIS Baily School in Thatcham has been rated “good” overall and “rapidly improving” by Ofsted.

The education inspector, Ronald Hall, who visited the Skillman Drive school on July 7 said in his report that the school had made significant changes since its last inspection four years ago, although it was also rated “good” overall then.

“This is a good, and rapidly improving school that has changed significantly since the previous inspection,” he said.

“Pupils make good progress and, although broadly average, pupils' attainment has risen consistently in the last two years, particularly in English.

“This demonstrates the major success of the headteacher's ambition to raise the expectations of staff, pupils, parents and carers.

“The quality of teaching has improved and it is now consistently good throughout the school.”

The school has been given good ratings in all areas in which it was assessed including the school's capacity for sustained improvement, outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils, the extent to which pupils feel safe, pupils' behaviour and the extent to which pupils adopt healthy lifestyles.

In the report published on August 18, Mr Hall added: “Pupils' personal development is a particular strength and pupils enjoy coming to school; hence pupils' attendance is high.

“In lessons, there are good levels of concentration and pupils work extremely well together.

“They are especially tolerant of those who perhaps take longer to understand a concept and need more help, and often try to help them with their work.”

The school has been told that to improve its rating it needed to work on attainment levels, particularly in mathematics.