Ofsted Inspection December 2024
As Headteacher of Danetree Primary School, I am delighted to share the fantastic news from our recent Section 8 Ofsted inspection. We are proud to announce that Ofsted inspectors found that we have “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection”, when the school was judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.
A copy of the inspection report, outlining the key findings from the visit, can be found here.
The report is testament to the hard work of our entire staff team working in partnership with our children, yourselves as parents, carers, Governors and the GLF Schools’ Academy Trust. We would like to thank you all for being a part of our school community and continuing to work with us to provide the very best opportunities for our children and our quest for educational excellence.
Since our last inspection in 2019, there have been significant changes to the Ofsted inspection framework, with a strong focus on the quality of the curriculum and how well the school prepares children for the next stage in life.
The inspection process was thorough and comprehensive, involving multiple stages to ensure a rigorous evaluation of our school's performance. Inspectors conducted detailed classroom observations, assessing the effectiveness of teaching methods, pupil engagement and the overall learning atmosphere. They held in-depth discussions with staff members, including teachers, support staff and leadership, to understand their perspectives and gather insights on the school's operations and educational strategies. Additionally, inspectors engaged with children and parents to hear their experiences and feedback, providing a well-rounded view of the school's environment.
The report highlights many positives about our school. I am most proud of the opening comment from the Inspector that says “Danetree pupils thrive in their learning. The school is relentlessly ambitious for pupils to succeed.”
Danetree is a caring and supportive place where pupils "feel safe and confident in talking to staff if they have concerns." It's heartening to know that our pupils feel secure and supported.
The report celebrates the wider offer and comments that, “Pupils of all ages benefit from a comprehensive enrichment programme.” We know that these opportunities challenge and inspire children, helping them become confident and resilient learners.
We are delighted that the report cites how “the school ensures pupils have a strong grasp of essential knowledge in English and mathematics. From the Reception Year onwards, children accurately recall numbers, letters and sounds." Teachers are skilled at identifying pupils' needs and providing the right support.
We have worked tirelessly on ensuring oracy and vocabulary instruction is a key feature in every lesson and golden thread of our curriculum. As a result, I was exceptionally proud to read in the report “Pupils develop a broad and ambitious vocabulary across the curriculum, starting in early years. This approach enables pupils to confidently discuss important ideas and produce high-quality writing. Teachers "pick up on misconceptions or errors in pupils’ work and make sure they understand what to do instead." This reflects our focus on assessment and high-quality feedback. It's wonderful to see our pupils' confidence and curiosity grow.
The inspection highlighted that “The school's efforts to improve attendance are highly effective, with a strategic approach to addressing barriers.” As well as this, realising that “school routines are embedded from early years, and thoughtful support is provided for pupils struggling with behaviour.” Ensuring every child feels included and supported is a priority for us and for it to be shared in the report is excellent to see.
Ofsted shared that “Enrichment opportunities are planned with the same precision as the academic curriculum. The school offers a range of cultural and social experiences, from residential trips to design-and-make days.” I am always excited to see the joy and growth these experiences bring to our pupils.
“The school ensures that staff have real expertise in teaching the curriculum. As changes to policies or subjects are implemented, the school and the trust have worked together to maintain high standards.” Our staff's dedication and professionalism, along with a commitment to growing their knowledge of learners’ needs and the curriculum, are the backbone of our success.
We are incredibly proud of our children and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the incredible staff and governors, whose passion and commitment ensure that children who attend Danetree continue to be inspired and nurtured to succeed. Finally, I would like to thank my leadership team for their support and diligence whilst preparing for and during the inspection process.
We are looking forward to taking Danetree Primary School to even greater heights this term and beyond.
Yours sincerely,
Joanna Singleton
Headteacher
