Good school helps pupils grow

Chestnut Primary School has been judged overall as a "good" school, with a positive environment which helps children to thrive, in its latest Ofsted report.

The school “provides a good education” helping pupils to achieve their full potential. The Ofsted report details how the chestnut tree on the school badge is symbolic of the school and the way it works.

“The leadership team has a firmly rooted philosophy that individuals deserve the best possible chance of succeeding in their learning, despite emotional or health problems”.

Teaching staff are described as “working like a chestnut tree by creating a good quality umbrella of provision for their pupils”. The inspectors also highlighted the “recent procedures to help pupils understand the direction in which they must 'grow' in their learning” as “good quality”. Similar to the intertwining branches of the chestnut tree, the report highlights how “the staff and governors work well together for the benefit of the pupils.”

The Ofsted report highlights the many strengths of the 81 pupil school such as the “outstanding” links with other schools and local organisations building a strong community feeling. The “well-planned range of extra-curricular activities” enables the pupils to maintain a good level of fitness and encourage competitive play.

Other strengths of the school include how pupils achieve good levels in their personal and well-being skills, “representing high quality progress in their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development”. Teachers are also praised for providing “stimulating classroom environments that support pupils in their learning”. Relationships between pupils and all adults are highlighted as “good” promoting “mutual trust”.

The report highlights how all pupils, across a wide range of abilities “achieve well” academically and make good progress through the school. Monitoring and self-evaluation are effectively in place and the inspector acknowledged that the school demonstrates a “good capacity” to improve into the future.

The Ofsted report highlights how pupils “enjoy their life in school”. The inspector praised the pupils' good behaviour and highlighted that they are “considerate and fair to each other”. As one pupil explained to the Ofsted inspector, “It's a small loving school”. The report highlights how the pastoral support, care and guidance are of “an extremely high standard and actively promote equality and individuality”.

The report highlights how parents are very happy with all aspects of the school as echoed by one parent who explained that, “the team of staff promote a positive environment for children to thrive, grow in confidence and progress/develop to their full potential”.

Glenn Page, Headteacher said: "I am absolutely delighted and feel very proud that the Ofsted report recognises Chestnut as a good school. I am pleased that the inspector praised the excellent quality of teaching at the school and the good behaviour of pupils.

“These successes have been achieved through the outstanding teamwork, shared commitment, enthusiasm and hard work of everyone involved with the school. Children who enjoy their learning, dedicated and talented staff, supportive parents and governors, and the local community all contribute in helping to make Chestnut the caring and loving school that it is.”

Cllr Anna Tolchard, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "Chestnut Primary School is a good school and I'm delighted that this Ofsted report reflects the effort that everyone has made. My congratulations to the headteacher, staff, governors, and to the pupils and their parents for these achievements – they are well deserved!"