Chesterton Primary improves since arrival of new headteacher

Following an inspection that took place on Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3, Chesterton Primary School has been rated 'Requires Improvement'.

This was the school's first inspection since it relaunched as an academy.

This result was an improvement on the school's previous inspection in 2017, which was rated 'Inadequate', before it closed.

Overall the report was positive and acknowledged significant progress since the arrival of new headteacher, Libby Pringle who joined the school in September. 

Headteacher Libby Pringle with students at Chesterton Primary School (Image: Chesterton Primary School)

The inspector said the pupils were "polite, friendly and well mannered". 

They also said that the school provided a "positive environment for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities" where staff identified these needs early and accurately.

The curriculum was described as "broad and balance" and teaching in humanities subjects such as geography was applauded. 

However, the Ofsted report identified three areas that the school needed to improve on; securing pupils knowledge, monitoring the quality of education and learning about different cultures and values.

The inspector said that leaders did not check pupils' learning thoroughly enough which meant some subject teachers were unsure of what was working well for pupils and what needed to improved.

It also stated that "leaders have only recently started to teach pupils about different cultures and British values, consequently, some pupils’ knowledge of these concepts is not sufficiently developed."

Chiquita Henson, chief executive of Corinium Education Trust, said: "We are especially pleased the report recognises our collective ambition for the school and the steps that have been taken together to bring about sustainable improvement.

"We know there is more to do and we are confident that Libby Pringle and her team, with the support of our School Improvement Lead, Rachael Scott, will continue to work tirelessly to ensure all pupils at the school are well prepared for the next stage in their learning and life in modern Britain.’"

Libby Pringle, Headteacher, said: "This report enables us to continue our journey with the same determination and unrelenting focus on improving outcomes for our pupils and supporting our community with excellent pastoral care. 

"I would like to thank staff, parents, pupils, governors and The Corinium Education Trust for their ongoing support for the school."

You can read the full report here.