Celebrations at Lime Academy Orton in Peterborough after Ofsted inspection
Headteacher speaks of his pride following ‘good’ grading
The hard work of staff, pupils and their families has been praised by a Peterborough head teacher after a city special school was given a ‘Good’ grading by Ofsted inspectors.
Lime Academy Orton, located in Clayton, Orton Goldhay, was given the rating after inspectors visited in September.
The report on the school, which is for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, praised staff and pupils – something which delighted headteacher Anthony Skipworth.
He said: “I am delighted by the outcome of our Ofsted inspection, it is the result of years of hard work, commitment and trust from our dedicated staff and wonderful families. The school has been on a significant journey of improvement, with inspectors commenting that ‘a new history has been written.”
In the report, inspectors said that children were ‘happy’ at the school and ‘delight in learning.’ The report said: “Starting in the early years, pupils learn a curriculum that helps them to communicate with others and interact with the world effectively, and this tailored curriculum continues as they progress through the school. Pupils also develop independence. Within the school’s caring environment, pupils are confident and happy. They delight in learning and value their experiences at school.”
They added that ‘Pupils thrive within the ‘can-do’ ethos at school’ and said: “Pupils learn the knowledge and skills they need to take positive next steps in life after leaving school. They learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy at home and in the local community. On school trips, pupils learn important skills such as crossing roads safely. While dining together during lunchtime, pupils learn how to make healthy choices when eating.”
The school was given some things to work on in the future, with inspectors saying: “There are some areas of the ‘inspire’ curriculum that are not as well developed as the rest. In these instances, teachers are not clear about the exact knowledge that pupils must know. For example, teachers are not always certain about the specific vocabulary that pupils must learn.”
To read the report in full, visit https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/25/147944