Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of Digby Church of England School on September 21, 2023, following two successive judgments of requires improvement. The purpose of this inspection was to assess the progress made by the school since its last graded inspection, rather than to provide an overall effectiveness grade. The inspection involved discussions with the interim executive headteacher, senior leaders, governors, local authority representatives, and staff, as well as lesson visits and scrutiny of pupil work, particularly for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The findings indicate that while progress has been made, further work is necessary for the school to achieve a good rating. The leadership team has responded promptly to previous inspection findings, implementing a restructure within the Spires Federation, which includes the appointment of interim leaders and a new special educational needs coordinator. These leaders are familiar with the schools in the federation and are committed to driving improvement.
The school has experienced a period of change, and the interim leadership arrangements are positively impacting the school environment. Improvement planning is thorough, and there is strong support from staff and the local authority, which has recommended ongoing external mentoring to ensure sustained progress. The governing body has shown commitment and care for the school community, with a review of governance leading to improved structures and systems. New governors with relevant skills have joined, contributing to a renewed sense of ambition and a search for an appropriate academy solution.
Significant changes have occurred in the early years provision, with new leadership and staffing enhancing the learning environment. The curriculum implementation is more language-rich, fostering better communication and language skills among children. However, there is a need for further training for staff to effectively support children's language development, as questioning techniques are not yet fully utilized to assess understanding.
Pupils with SEND are identified quickly, and their individual support plans have improved, with clear and measurable targets. The introduction of a flowchart for SEND pupils has clarified processes for staff and parents. The next critical step is to adapt the curriculum to ensure that these pupils achieve and are prepared for their next learning stage, as inconsistencies in curriculum implementation still exist.
Subject leaders have received high-quality professional development, leading to increased effectiveness in their roles. Curriculum planning has been refined, providing clarity on essential knowledge for pupils. While monitoring systems have improved, the implementation of the curriculum remains inconsistent. The school acknowledges the need to develop checks to ensure that the curriculum meets its ambitious goals, particularly for all pupils, including those with SEND.
The school has benefited from high-quality external support from the local authority, a local trust, and a teaching school. This support is crucial for ensuring long-term and meaningful impact. The inspection concluded that while there has been progress, continued efforts are necessary to embed improvements and achieve the desired outcomes for all pupils. The letter detailing these findings will be shared with relevant stakeholders and published on the Ofsted reports website.
