A headteacher is ‘delighted and proud’ after a historically troubled primary school has managed to pull its rating up two grades since it opened – from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘Good’.
Dorney School, based in Dorney Reach, has strengthened significantly since it opened, having fetched an ‘Inadequate’ rating in 2021 and pulling this up to ‘Requires improvement’ in 2022.
Since September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools – but it does rate aspects of them.
Dorney School was rated as Good for its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision – a clean sweep.
Ofsted described Dorney School is ‘friendly and nurturing’ and said pupils ‘quickly develop their confidence’ due to the ‘high-quality’ pastoral care.
The school has high expectations of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
It identifies pupils with SEND quickly, who are supported ‘effectively’ with targeted help when needed.
All pupils benefit from many activities to enrich their learning.
They have a ‘forest school’ woodland area, and there are workshops, talks from a range of speakers (including a popular interfaith day) and performance opportunities.
Pupils embark on a range of trips to museums, parks and different places of worship.
The school has also established a love of reading. Pupils are ‘excited’ about reading and become ‘avid’ readers.
Moreover, Dorney School is ‘calm and orderly.’ Reception pupils learn to play ‘cooperatively and kindly in an inviting space’. Staff ‘expertly’ develop children’s language skills.
Pupils learn how to stay healthy and keep themselves safe, including online.
The school works with local secondary schools to prepare pupils for their next steps through mentoring and buddy schemes.
Pupils take various leadership roles to learn responsibility. Many also tend to the garden areas and help look after the chickens, fish and guinea pigs.
Grandparents are invited into the school to promote intergenerational respect and pupils work with local charities.
Staff are ‘dedicated’ to the school. Leaders prioritise their professional development and wellbeing.
Governors and trustees are proactive and committed to driving further improvement.
They work effectively with leaders and share their vision for an inclusive school where pupils can flourish.
Staff are skilled at guiding pupils to learn from their mistakes.
In terms of areas for improvement, Ofsted said that on occasion, pupils do not appreciate difference or strongly understand and apply values in line with the school ethos.
When this is the case, relationships between pupils are not as positive as they could be.
Dorney School ‘should redouble its efforts’ to ensure that mutual respect and tolerance are consistently embedded.
Responding to the result, headteacher Mrs Sharifah Lee said she was ‘delighted’ that the school’s focus on nurture and wellbeing had been identified in the report.
She said: “I am proud to lead a fully inclusive school where every child is accepted for who they are.
“We do not seek to change anyone but to equip each child further with self-belief, universal values, love for their family and community, and academic prowess.”
Most read
Archive GWR train image.
Top Articles
Disturbing footage of a ‘murderous’ attack in Slough, where a man was stabbed 34 times and then run over by his killer, has been shown at the opening of a murder trial.
Timothy Seale, left; Natasha Carroll, right.
A Maidenhead couple who went on a nine-day crime spree – robbing from multiple shops while armed with weapons – have been given prison sentences of eight and five years each.
A police cordon in place at Burnham Park
‘Reassurance patrols’ will continue in the park, police said, and an appeal has been issued for anyone who might have information to make a report.
© Copyright 2024 Baylis Community Media CIC All right reserved
