A WEST DEVON village school has been praised by education inspectors for its above average academic standards and the good care it provides for every pupil.
Staff and pupils at Bridestowe Primary School are starting the new academic year with a major boost after the publication of the report by inspectors from the school standards agency Ofsted.
?This is a good school that serves its pupils and community well,? the inspectors concluded.
?Under the very good leadership of the headteacher, Shan Maiden, staff and governors have established a very positive and caring ethos that results in pupils achieving well in their academic and personal development.
?The school?s commitment to inclusion results in good provision for all pupils irrespective of their stages of learning or their behavioural or sensory needs.
?Parents have very positive views of the school. They value the strong relationships teachers develop with pupils. They consider pupils are well taught and make good progress.
?Pupils enjoy school and the work given them. They feel they are well known, valued and supported in all they do.?
The inspectors spent two days at the Devon County Council school last term and their report has just been published.
They say there has been very good improvement at Bridestowe since the last inspection in 1998 and that has resulted in steady gains in pupil achievement.
The inspectors found the latest results from the SATs tests which pupils sit at 11-years-old showed well above average results in maths and science and above average results in writing.
But they say care must be taken in comparing the SATs results from year to year when so few children take the tests.
The report commends the good quality of teaching at the school and highlights particular strengths in the teaching of literacy and numeracy.
?Teachers have very good subject knowledge and high expectations of pupils,? say the inspectors.
Other highlights include:
l Pupils benefit from a good curriculum enhanced by an extensive range of visits and out of class activities l The school?s very good care, guidance and support of pupils are built on strong and effective links with parents, carers and the community l Pupils have very good attitudes to learning and behave very well l Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good l Attendance is well above average l Governors carry out their duties well.
In common with the vast majority of Ofsted reports, the inspectors highlight areas for further improvement.
They say the school should work with the local education authority to provide a school hall and the control element of the ICT curriculum (making things happen) should be further developed for Years 3 to 6.
Headteacher Shan Maiden said: ?I was delighted with the report which was very fair and recognised the hard work, skills and effort of the whole team of staff, governors, pupils, parents and community which make this a successful school.
?We welcome Ofsted?s acknowledgement that, although we have made good improvements to our Victorian building, we would be able to do more with better hall facilities and would like to think that funding to provide this will become available in the future.?