Staff at Branscombe Primary School have been praised for their commitment to nurturing pupils development as part of a ‘good’ Ofsted report.

Sidmouth Herald: Branscombe primary school celebrate their good Ofsted report. Ref shb 47 17TI 3572. Picture: Terry IfeBranscombe primary school celebrate their good Ofsted report. Ref shb 47 17TI 3572. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The school was visited in October by lead Ofsted inspector Sue Frater who commented on the quality of education and leadership.

In her report, she said: “You have successively created an inclusive ethos in which all pupils are valued. Your commitment to nurturing pupils’ personal development, as well as their academic skills, is shared by all staff. It is appreciated by parents, particularly parents whose children have special educational needs and/or disabilities.”

She continued by saying parents praised teachers and teaching assistants for supporting the children in a way that developed the pupil’s ‘enthusiasm for learning’.

The inspector also said the school took ‘swift action’ to tackle dips and standards in 2016 as a result of a revised national curriculum and an influx of new pupils to the school – but remarked that results for this year showed pupils were again achieving well.

The inspector added the school drew successfully on its resources with its fellow schools in the Jubilee Federation, including staff expertise.

Mrs Frater said: “The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection.

“The expertise of the shared head of teaching and learning has improved provision. That includes the early years which have been expanded to admit nursery-aged children. Children get off to a flying start in their reading in the early years.”

She added the school could improve further by ensuring children made consistently good progress in their writing and developing their ability to form sentences of increasing complexity.

Headteacher Katie Gray, who is executive headteacher for the Jubilee Foundation, said: “I am delighted that the inspector has recognised that Branscombe CofE Primary School continues to offer a high quality of provision and care for families in Branscombe and the surrounding area.

“She has noted our many strengths including the caring ethos that supports our children in all aspects of their time at school. We feel well equipped to meet the new challenges and targets for the future.”