THE ?tireless? work of a Tavistock head and senior teachers has led to significant improvements at the town?s biggest primary school, according to education inspectors Ofsted. They say Tavistock Primary School is providing a sound education for its 368 pupils and is very successful in ?adding value? to their learning. Children start with an overall level of attainment which is below average. But, by the time they finish school at 11, they are achieving nationally expected standards. Ofsted inspectors said: ?The school?s performance has improved after a lean period when standards fell and achievement of pupils was inadequate. ?With good support from the local authority, the school has turned around. ?There have been significant improvements in both English and maths. The management of these two subjects is particularly strong and has been instrumental in driving standards up. ?The headteacher has worked tirelessly and has a clear understanding of what the school needs to do to improve further.? Three Ofsted inspectors spent two days at the school last month and their report has just been published. They say the school?s care and support for its pupils is a particular strength and staff are committed to their all-round development. ?Pupils enjoy school and this is reflected in their above average attendance,? said the inspectors. ?Behaviour is generally good and this enables pupils to pursue their learning in a calm and purposeful atmosphere. ?All these factors, together with their enthusiasm and friendliness, contribute to pupils? good personal development and well being. The report said pupils enjoyed positive relationships with their teachers and interacted well with them. Year 6 pupils spoke of lessons as being fun, but challenging. And inspectors found in the reception class, a ?stimulating and exciting learning environment? had been created. Across the school, a wide range of visits, visitors and school clubs enriched pupils? learning and promoted positive attitudes, said the inspectors. To continue its good improvement, the school should make more use of assessment information to help pupils with learning difficulties and provide more opportunities for children to use their literacy and numeracy skills in other subjects. The report said ?strong action? had been taken to resolve differences within the senior leadership team at the school, in which some key staff had failed to support headteacher Joe Flynn?s moves to improve performance. But the inspectors say more must be done to resolve the differences. Mr Flynn said: ?I am delighted that Ofsted have recognised the dedication and hard work of our staff, pupils and governors. ?The school has had a difficult time over the last two years with staff long-term sickness, including my own, and it is a credit to all of us that the report is so positive.?
