A school where positivity and enthusiasm for learning shine out – Ofsted verdict on Bathwick St Mary
‘Pupils are proud and parents are overwhelmingly positive’ – that’s the message delivered to Ofsted inspectors who have returned a glowing verdict of ‘Good in all areas’ or Bathwick St. Mary Church School.
The inspectors said the Bath school, led by headteacher Kevin Purkiss, is good in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.
The inspectors said: “Pupils and staff are proud of their school and parents are overwhelmingly positive” and “Staff have high expectations for behaviour and pupils’ attitudes”.
In the report and in feedback with the senior leadership team there was praise in equal measure for the ambitious curriculum, extra-curricular activities, inclusive environment and many strengths in Early Years.
Inspectors praised the reflective and informed leadership at Bathwick. The report said: “Leaders have driven improvement at the school with great determination. They have worked well with the Bath and Wells Academy Trust to develop important areas of the school. This has led to improvement in the quality of the school’s curriculum.”
“Curriculum leaders have done much to strengthen the curriculum. This is evident in early reading and mathematics. They have identified essential content and when it should be taught.” The many strengths in Early Years were also recognised with inspectors noting the impressive and ambitious curriculum connections with the rest of the school.
”Pupils are enthusiastic about multi--skills, sports skills, sports clubs and choir. Girls talk proudly of playing in the first football team to represent the school competitively. Older pupils welcome the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and to support younger children at play.”
The school’s ‘priority’ for reading was also noted; inspectors commented the children get off to a flying start. Furthermore, it was noted that Bathwick St. Mary was a clearly an inclusive school where pupils with SEND get the necessary help they need to access the curriculum.
The atmosphere in the school was also a positive feature. Inspectors noted that pupil achievements are praised and celebrated regularly and there were real strengths for children’s personal development. Children feel safe and valued as part of the school and it was recognised that bullying is not tolerated and there are effective systems in place.
Kevin said: “I am proud of the inclusive, aspirational and caring school Bathwick is. We are pleased to be rated as Good in all areas with the many strengths of the school recognised and praised. It is testament to the dedication and care of our staff team working collaboratively with our Governors, Trust and parent community that inspectors celebrated the determination with which we have made improvements to the curriculum. The overwhelmingly positive parent survey found that 97% agree that their child is happy at Bathwick, 100% say their child is safe here and 95% would recommend this school to another parent. These are fantastic outcomes, but there are always things to work on and develop. We look forward to continuing to build on our successes to ensure that each and every child flourishes at our school and is ready for the next stage of their education”
Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust CEO Nikki Edwards said: “We are so pleased the inspection team recognised the work going on at Bathwick St Mary and leaders know their school well and are continuing to drive Bathwick St. Mary forward.”