Rapidly improving Coley Primary celebrates Good Ofsted

“Rapidly Improving” Coley Primary Celebrates Good Ofsted Report

Ofsted has upgraded Coley Primary School’s rating from requires improvement to good after a recent inspection.

The report commends the school for its “rapidly improving” teaching, its strong leadership team and how all pupils achieve equally well.
Ofsted found that children entering the school’s nursery and reception had “skills well below the levels expected for their ages,” but that they “make good progress and that this provided a good start for Key Stage 1.” Despite this challenging start, inspectors recorded that “all groups of children achieved well and they made good or better progress, especially in reading and mathematics, and learn well in their lessons.”

Other highlights from the report include:
• Pupils’ positive attitudes and their good behaviour make a strong contribution to their learning
• Pupils who speak English as an additional language are making good progress
• The curriculum is well planned and provides a positive experience with rich opportunities for learning
• Children learn well as a result of the consistently good teaching, and by the end of Reception the overall progress children make is good. For some who have transferred from Nursery to Reception, their development in personal, social and emotional development is outstanding

Children told the inspectors that the school keeps them safe and that all groups of pupils get on well together. Ofsted praised the pupils for their good behaviour and noted how they are proud of their school.

Inspectors also commended the school on how it engages with parents, with support provided through reading, writing and phonics workshops. The school shares “imaginative resources” that parents can use at home and that Ofsted feel have “greatly helped build pupils’ confidence in lessons.”

For Coley Primary to achieve an outstanding rating in their next inspection, Ofsted recommended that the school work on marking and progress checking. Enhancing writing skills for all pupils and achievements for pupils with special education needs were also suggested by inspectors.

Chair of Governors, Julia Cottee said

“Governors are delighted that Ofsted has judged Coley Primary as being a Good school, after a sustained period of rapid and strong improvement, resulting in very impressive results at KS2 this year.
“We thank the staff for all their hard work and contribution towards ongoing school improvement and success under the leadership of our Headteacher, Mrs Pengelly.”

Cllr John Ennis, Reading’s Lead Member for Education said:

“This is an excellent result for Coley Primary and I would like to congratulate pupils, staff, parents and governors on their improved Ofsted rating.

“Thanks to the new headteacher and her staff, the school has succeeded in making the significant and far-reaching improvements that are recognised in this report.

“Coley Primary shows that a strong start in education can make all the difference to children’s lives.”

80% of schools under Local Authority control are now rated good or outstanding, which is in line with the national average.