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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Tristan Cork

Bristol school that 'required improvement' is now rated as 'outstanding'

A Bristol primary school told it ‘required improvement’ by Ofsted inspectors almost four years ago has met that challenge - and then some.

Ofsted inspectors went back to Frome Vale Academy - and from giving the school the concerning and lowly rating back in February 2018, the school has now been judged as ‘outstanding’ in all areas.

The achievement by the primary school in Oldbury Court is a rare one - it’s very unusual for a school to go from requiring improvement to getting a clean-sweep ‘outstanding’ rating in the space of one Ofsted inspection.

Read more: Schools in the Bristol area that haven't had an Ofsted inspection for a decade

The school was in trouble back in February and March 2018 when Ofsted inspectors arrived and then came back weeks later. They judged the school required improvement in four of the five areas inspectors look at, and gave the school the ultimatum in the final result.

Overall, and in five specific areas, schools can be ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ - ratings which often then lead to schools being put in special measures.

But when the Ofsted inspectors recently returned to Frome Vale Academy, they found the school had leapt from near the bottom of the pile to the very top. The school leaders described it as an ‘absolutely amazing achievement’, especially since that improvement was carried out through the past two years of the pandemic.

Read more: Boris Johnson gives update on end to Covid rules in England

Inspectors noted that pupils excel at the school they described as ‘highly ambitious and inclusive’.

The school’s principal, Jan Saunders, said disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities learn alongside ‘and in harmony with’ their peers.

“I am immensely proud of the outstanding Ofsted judgement, which is an endorsement of the hard work and unrelenting approach to developing a broad and engaging curriculum underpinned by a culture of Frome Vale Citizenship,” the principal said.

“This approach has involved all stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to ensure that we provide the best life chances for all our pupils. We would like to thank our Frome Vale Citizens, school community, families, and the CLF,” she added.

Ofsted’s report said at the school, which is part of the Cabot Learning Federation of schools in Bristol: “Pupils know that a lot is expected of them. Pupils thrive because of the wide range of extra-curricular experiences on offer. Staff promote equality of opportunity very well. Pupils of all abilities are included fully in school life. They take on various responsibilities. Pupils learn about cultures and beliefs from around the world in lessons and from each other. As a result, pupils understand, appreciate and respect difference,” the inspectors wrote.

“Pupils’ behaviour is excellent. Everyone has high expectations of behaviour. Staff promote positive relationships in all aspects of school life. Bullying is very rare and is dealt with effectively if it happens. Pupils’ attitudes to learning are exemplary, especially as they get older. Pupils rightly said that they feel safe and are safe. They truly act as, and value being, Frome Vale Citizens,” they added.

The Cabot Learning Federation’s executive principal is Kate Richardson. “The report describes a school at the heart of its community supporting pupils to thrive and excel as global citizens, achieved through exceptional enactment of an ambitious curriculum coupled with a strong offer for children's personal development,” she said. “The school and community have a long-standing relationship with the trust; we are delighted with the outcome,” she added.

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