St Anne's C of E Primary School in Bishop Auckland recently underwent a short inspection by Ofsted, marking the first review since being rated as 'good' in January 2015. The findings from this inspection reaffirmed that the school continues to maintain high standards, demonstrating effective leadership and a nurturing environment for its pupils.
The school's ethos of Minds to learn, hearts to care was highlighted during the inspection, showcasing the dual focus on academic achievement and personal development fostered by Headteacher Mrs. Lynne Sixsmith and her dedicated staff. The report noted that St Anne's is a caring community where pupils are encouraged to develop a wide range of personal qualities. Inspectors observed that pupils are extremely polite, well-mannered, and curious about the world around them.
Mrs. Sixsmith's leadership was praised for its effectiveness, with high staff morale and strong parental support evident from responses to Ofsted's online parent questionnaire, Parent View. Recent appointments to the senior leadership team are beginning to enhance pupils' literacy and numeracy skills further, showing a commitment to continuous improvement.
The governing body, composed largely of new members, has received effective induction and training, enabling them to challenge school leaders on the quality of education. The governors are actively involved in monitoring the school's progress and ensuring accountability.
One key area of focus from the previous inspection was to improve pupils' achievement in mathematics. The latest findings indicate substantial progress in this area, with pupils' performance in mathematics across Key Stage 2 well above the national average. The use of practical resources in lessons has been enhanced, making learning more engaging for students.
Safeguarding measures at St Anne's were found to be effective, with staff demonstrating a thorough understanding of their responsibilities in keeping pupils safe. The school has established a supportive environment where pupils feel secure and know they can approach any staff member with concerns.
The quality of teaching in core subjects such as mathematics, English, and science was rated as strong, with teachers effectively meeting the diverse needs of their pupils. However, the report noted a need for improvement in foundation subjects like history and geography, where pupils often do not have the opportunity to explore topics in depth.
The leadership of the early years, including the newly opened nursery, was commended for providing a solid foundation for children's learning. The report emphasized that children are well-prepared for the next stage of their education, thanks to highly effective teaching and engaging learning environment.
In conclusion, the Ofsted inspection report outlined next steps for St Anne's C of E Primary School, recommending that leaders develop the curriculum to provide more opportunities for pupils to deepen their understanding of geographical and historical concepts, as well as improve spelling accuracy when using unfamiliar vocabulary.
The school community can take pride in the positive feedback from the inspection, reflecting the hard work and dedication of the staff, pupils, and parents in maintaining a high standard of education at St Anne's.
