By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 11:30, Wednesday, 11 July 2012

The acting head of a west Cumbrian school has been praised for the efforts he has made during his five months in charge.

Mike Kidd took over the reins at Seaton Junior School in January after Rachel Ingrams left the post to become headteacher at Silloth Primary School. He had previously been the headteacher at Workington’s Westfield Primary School.

And this week the school has been rated as a good school with outstanding aspects in an Ofsted report.

Mr Kidd said that he, as well as the rest of the school, were delighted with the result. “I think it’s a good reflection on all of the hard work staff have put in over the last few years since the last inspection,” he added.

The inspectors, Gillian Salter-Smith and John Ellwood, said that Mr Kidd’s leadership, supported by senior leaders and staff, had maintained high expectations with continuing improvement and that they were all “strongly focused on improving teaching and pupils’ achievement further.”

The inspectors’ report rated the school good in four of its aspects, with behaviour and safety of pupils coming out as outstanding.

“The school is a good school,” said the report. “It is not yet outstanding because although teaching is securely good, there is not enough outstanding teaching.”

It said that pupils reach above average attainment by Year 6 in English and maths, with the proportion of current Year 6 pupils reaching above average levels being “impressive.”

Relationships between staff and pupils is noted as being positive and supportive, with pupils’ behaviour being praised as exemplary with their attitudes to learning excellent.

“They (pupils) enjoy discussing their work with each other and persevere exceptionally well with tasks,” said the inspectors. “They play very sensibly and know how to stay safe. They take on their many roles of responsibility in school with maturity. They show great respect for one another.”

The school, which has 219 pupils, was inspected last month. Areas inspectors have advised to be improved are by having more outstanding features, more opportunities should be provided where pupils are excited and engaged through solving problems and working independently.

Pupil’s should also be encouraged to act upon and make improvements to their work in response to teachers’ marking and homework relating to basic skills should be monitored, ensuring parents and carers are award how it is organised.

First published at 11:25, Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk