News 21st October 2024
‘Aspirational’ St Andrew’s Primary praised by Ofsted
St Andrew’s CE Primary School in Fontmell Magna is celebrating after a recent Ofsted inspection rated them ‘Good’ in all areas.
Inspectors praised the school saying it has “high expectations for all, putting pupils’ best interests at the heart of everything they do. The school has high aspirations for what pupils can achieve”. It goes on to say that “the school has designed a broad and ambitious curriculum for all subjects” and “there is a strong sense of community”.
The report also says, “The school sets high standards for behaviour…as a result the school is calm and orderly”. St Andrew’s Primary “prepares pupils well for the next stage of their education. Pupils learn to become active and responsible citizens.”
The school has been on a journey of improvement in recent years after being rated as ‘Inadequate’ and placed in special measures by Ofsted in 2017. The school joined Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST) in 2020, whose support saw St Andrew’s move out of special measures following an inspection in April 2022. This latest inspection sees the school hailed as ‘Good’ across all the inspection areas, an impressive feat.
Dan King, Head of School said “I am absolutely delighted with the recent Ofsted inspection report. It truly reflects the high expectations we have for all our pupils and that they are at the heart of everything we do. The strong sense of community here is something we are incredibly proud of, and this recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion of our staff team. We have been eagerly anticipating this inspection, confident in the knowledge that our curriculum allows each child to shine. I am deeply grateful to the entire team for ensuring that our children not only excel academically but also benefit from a wealth of enriching experiences—from forest school and creative arts projects to a variety of sporting opportunities and an abundance of trips that nurture their character. Together, we continue to offer a truly holistic education”
David Watson, our CEO added “We are all incredibly proud of Dan and his team, who with the support of Executive Headteacher Matt Barge and our education team, have worked so hard to transform St Andrew’s into the wonderful school we see today. Children are truly flourishing at St Andrew’s, and the school is a beacon of excellence in the local community”.
