By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 11:42, Monday, 24 December 2012

A PRIMARY school in west Cumbria is outstanding, according to Ofsted inspectors.

Enthused: Headteacher Samantha Kidd, leads a committed team of staff, governors, volunteers and visitors who create an exceptional environment for pupils who, inspectors found, are well-behaved and well-prepared for secondary school

Dearham Primary School, which has 243 pupils, received an outstanding rating in all areas – achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management. After an inspection earlier this month, inspectors said: “This is an outstanding school.”

The report says that pupils of all ages are “inspired” by the adults around them and achieve “high levels” of attainment by the end of year six.

It says: “All pupils are treated as individuals and make outstanding progress. Outstanding teaching stimulates and supports pupils. This is due to the skills, dedication and commitment of teachers, teaching assistants and visiting specialists. They work extremely well together to plan lessons which enthuse pupils.”

The school was praised for the “exemplary” behaviour of its pupils.

“From an early age, pupils enjoy coming to school. They all show a great deal of respect towards each other and to all the staff and visitors.”

It goes on to describe outstanding teaching which “stimulates and supports” pupils.

The report says: “This is due to the skills, dedication and commitment of teachers, teaching assistants and visiting specialists. They work extremely well together to plan lessons which enthuse pupils.

“Teachers continually measure pupils’ understanding of their work and use this to plan lessons which meet the needs of every individual. Occasionally in lessons, pupils do not always have long enough to find out things for themselves.”

The report goes on to say: “Together, all staff, members of the governing body, volunteers and visitors create an exceptional environment in which to learn. This contributes to the pupils being extremely well prepared for the next stage in their education which is very much appreciated by pupils and their parents.

“The headteacher (Samantha Kidd), senior staff and the governing body are totally committed to continually improving Dearham. They thoroughly check on the quality of teaching and this has led to continuous improvement in pupils’ performance across all subjects.”

PMcClounie@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:28, Monday, 24 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk