"Tremendous Progress" — Primary School Previously Requiring Improvement Rated 'Good'

An Isle of Wight primary school previously handed ‘requires improvement’ grades has been rated ‘good’ across all inspection categories.

Visiting Lanesend Primary School in Cowes on July 1 and 2, Ofsted described it as ‘warm, welcoming’ and ‘ambitious’ for its pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Executive headteacher Alex Augustus hailed the latest result as reflecting ‘the tremendous progress we have made and the dedication of our pupils and staff’.

In September 2022, by contrast, inspectors concluded Lanesend required improvement regarding its quality of education, leadership and management and early years provision.

Ofsted’s latest report said:

“Pupils are proud of their school. They care for each other and the environment.

"The school’s values of pride, belonging and respect underpin all aspects of school life, and this means that pupils are happy and safe. Everyone belongs to ‘Team Lanesend’.

“The school now provides its pupils with an improved quality of education since the last inspection.

"Pupils enjoy the more enriched curriculum and are benefiting from a more consistently applied behaviour policy. In lessons, pupils typically pay attention, join in and work hard.

“The school is deeply committed to pupils’ personal development. Clubs and educational trips further enrich the pupils’ school days and develops their wider interests.

"The school is proud of its achievements in sport and performing arts, knowing this develops the whole child.”

Highlighting areas where Lanesend could improve, inspectors noted ‘some older pupils’ have ‘gaps in their knowledge’ due to ‘weaknesses in the previous curriculum’.

They also pointed to ‘limited opportunities’ for the school to ‘check how well the full curriculum is being taught, including in core subjects’ and, at times, a lack of ‘consistent information and feedback’ for parents on how well their children learn.

Mr Augustus said:

“I am thrilled to announce that Lanesend Primary School has recently received a good rating in all areas during our latest Ofsted inspection.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our entire school community.

"We are excited about the future and look forward to continuing to provide an excellent education for our pupils.”