Big improvements at school

Inspectors visited Dogsthorpe Infant School last month, and praised staff for the turnaround made at the school.

Head teacher Becky Waters said she was delighted with the grading, but was now looking forward to trying to achieve an ‘outstanding’ mark - the highest available.

She said: “There has been a huge amount of hard work from lots of people, including staff and their families. There has been a lot of extra hours worked, but there has been a clear vision to make this happen.

“There have been changes to the school building which has helped, and the way we teach some skills, such as writing has also made a difference.”

She added: “Following the inspection we have enjoyed the success, but now we are working hard to keep improving. The ‘outstanding’ grade is our next target. We have to keep doing what we are doing, while all the while asking what we can do better.”

In his report, lead Ofsted inspector Robert Greatrex said: “Dogsthorpe Infant School has improved rapidly since the previous inspection because all staff have worked effectively as a team to provide a higher-quality education for pupils.”

Mr Greatrex said the school ethos was clear to see in lessons.

He said: “The strong ethos, clearly embedded in the school values, is the foundation on which important improvements are built. Every aspect of school life embodies the ambition to ‘Dream. Believe. Shine’. Pupils’ personal development benefits particularly.”

The inspectors did give staff a number of areas which they could improve.

Mr Greatrex said: “Tasks, particularly in mathematics, are not always difficult enough to challenge the most able pupils.”

He added: “Some teachers do not give pupils sufficient opportunities to use and apply their mathematical skills to solve problems.”

The report added the school could improve further by “ensuring that leaders of all the subjects in the school’s curriculum check the quality of teaching and pupils’ progress in their subjects, and drive forward any necessary improvements.”