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Carbrooke Primary & Nursery is GOOD

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The Academy had its first section five Ofsted inspection with the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) at the beginning of October this year. This was under the new, revised Ofsted framework, that came into effect from September 2019.

Headteacher Mrs Hannah Wheeler said:

“We are so pleased to formally celebrate the successes achieved at Carbrooke. Our school family work hard together to get the best from each other – celebrating differences and making each and everyone feel confident in their learning.

“The recent inspection focuses our next steps in line with our plans – developing the curriculum to allow children to understand the ‘why’ in learning, and to look closer at how the younger children develop their strategies in spelling.”

The recent Ofsted report stated how “leaders have improved many aspects of the school since the previous inspection”, and “pupils behave well”.

They gave credit to the staff, governors and Academy Trust saying that they “have contributed a great deal towards the school’s improvement.”

Ofsted reported that: “pupils enjoy learning at this school. Leaders expect staff to nurture pupils as members of a caring family.”

The inspectors recognised how successful the school had been in embedding the curriculum implementation; “Leaders’ work on the new curriculum and how it is taught has led to big improvements in pupils’ learning”. It continues, “Leaders’ actions to improve writing are working. Teachers ensure pupils have the skills and knowledge needed to write for a range of purposes”.

As a school so focused on supporting individuals, all parents responded that their children are happy at school and that they would recommend the school to others. All staff responded positively, being proud to work at Carbrooke.

The leadership team recognises that the curriculum is in its early stages and that as this develops, pupils will then remember the more important ideas.

Continued improvements identified by the school in September and confirmed by the inspection team include spelling and the importance of early years, particularly now the age range is 2-11 years. However, the school is praised for the extended hours provision that is in place for all ages of children and the extra-curriculum clubs, visits and activities.

Safeguarding is effective, “Leaders ensure that adults are well trained… adults are vigilant… staff teach pupils how to assess risks and stay safe.”

Mrs Wheeler continues to acknowledge how the leadership at each level has supported her and the team to get the best provision for the children at Carbrooke. The local governing body and the Multi-Academy Trust DNEAT have invested time and resources into securing a stable and supportive staff, understanding the local context and challenges that the school have faced, while ensuring the school effectively challenges leaders to meet high expectations.

This Ofsted inspection follows up from their Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) inspection that took place in July 2019. The school also was judged “good”:

The school has been on a transformational journey since the last SIAMS inspection, firmly embedding its Christian vision. The school has a strong sense of Christian family, with approachability and positivity being deeply felt and acknowledged by pupils, staff, parents, governors and DNEAT. The school reaches out and shares its innovative practice with others very effectively, particularly in the field of mental health, ensuring that the well-being for all is a priority.”

Oliver Burwood, the Chief Executive of DNEAT said:

This is a fantastic result for the community of Carbrooke, who can be proud of their excellent school and the achievement of gaining a good’ grade at this inspection. The academy staff have worked tirelessly, in the face of real challenges, to ensure that the children in their care get the very best education and opportunities. We are pleased to have been able to support the academy on its incredible journey, which reflects that of the Trust as a whole.”