School inspectors have given Featherstone Primary and Nursery School in Southall a very positive report with the school getting a Good grade from The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted).
Following a visit by the Ofsted inspectors on 9 and 10 November 2022, the Good report was released on 13 January 2023 and revealed that had Ofsted visited for a graded inspection, it could have been rated as Outstanding.
The inspectors said: “Featherstone Primary and Nursery School continues to be a good school. There is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged outstanding if we were to carry out a graded (section 5) inspection now. The school’s next inspection will be a graded inspection.”
Among the findings that impressed the inspectors were reading, SEND, what it is like to work at the school, children’s behaviour and staff training.
On reading it said: “Reading is prioritised. Leaders introduced a new phonics programme in November 2021. They have made sure that every member of staff has been well trained. Leaders provide ongoing, well-planned support and training in phonics to staff. This ensures that the school’s approach to early reading remains highly effective. As a result, pupils at the early stages of learning to read do so with increasing fluency, accuracy and confidence.”
On SEND it said: “The needs of pupils with SEND are fully understood. These pupils are well supported to access the planned curriculum. This is because teachers adapt activities so that all pupils access the learning as intended.”
On working at the school it said: “Staff feel well supported by leaders. They appreciate the practical arrangements that are in place to support them to carry out their roles. Leaders and those responsible for governance are equally as committed to ensuring staff’s workload is managed and wellbeing is protected.”
On behaviour: “Pupils’ behaviour in the classroom, around the school and outside on the playground is excellent. Pupils listen carefully to adults. They are highly engaged with their learning. Pupils cooperate well with their peers and show respect for other pupils’ ideas. Classrooms are free from low-level disruption, ensuring pupils learn without interruption. ”
On staff training: “Leaders invest in staff training so that all teachers have secure knowledge of the subjects they teach. This ensures that they carefully check what pupils have understood and address any misconceptions or errors swiftly. ”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, headteacher Des Lee said: ” The previous report in 2017 was also a Good outcome, but this is the first time that our school has been recognised as Good, with the potential to be judged as outstanding if Ofsted were to carry out a full graded (section 5) inspection now.
Mr Lee added: “For me personally, I am happy that all the hard work, talent and dedication of all my amazing staff have been recognised by Ofsted. I am most proud of creating a caring school where the happiness, wellbeing and mental health of our children and our all our staff are highly valued and prioritised.”
Full interview with Mr Lee will be pubished on 17 January 2023.
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