A Herefordshire Primary School has been rated as ‘good’ following a recent inspection by Ofsted officers.

The inspection at Ashperton Primary School in Herefordshire took place on the 10th & 11th January.

The report said:

“Pupils are really proud to belong to Ashperton Primary Academy. 

“They value the opportunities they have. Pupils attend many trips and visits that enrich the curriculum. They visit places of worship, take part in sports activities, participate in rehearsals of a regional chamber orchestra and perform in school plays and musicals. 

“Pupils contribute widely to the life of the school. They know that their roles on the school council or as house captains, eco warriors and digital leaders make a difference to other pupils, and they take these responsibilities seriously.

“Leaders have high expectations of pupils. They expect them to do their best and behave well. Pupils work hard. Their behaviour is exemplary. Leaders address any incidents of bullying quickly and effectively. In nearly all subjects, leaders have made sure that the curriculum is expertly planned.

“Leaders have placed the sustainable development goals of the United Nations at the heart of the work of the school. This helps pupils understand the importance of their actions and the consequences their actions may have. Pupils say, ‘We all have a part to play in making the school a better place.’

“Leaders are ambitious for their pupils. They have designed a curriculum to meet the needs of pupils. The curriculum includes a rich understanding of sustainable development goals. This provides pupils with a unique preparation for their next steps and for adulthood. 

“In many subjects, leaders have developed well-planned and well-sequenced subject curriculums in which the important knowledge that pupils need to know is clearly identified. In these subjects, teachers make effective choices about how they deliver the curriculum and assessment is strong.

“In early years, leaders have designed a curriculum with ambitious end points. They want children to achieve well. Some activities, particularly those outdoors, are designed to reflect children’s interests and to encourage them to think creatively and to show resilience. In these cases, children show sustained effort and concentration and learn well. However, some activities are not as well focused on the needs of children. 

“On occasion, this can limit the opportunities that children have to meet the ambitious learning goals of leaders.

“Children and pupils enjoy being read to frequently. Pupils can borrow books from their class library. Leaders select these books carefully to reflect the topics that pupils are learning about as well as to match their interests. Pupils are eager to read. Leaders have designed their own phonics reading scheme. The scheme is carefully sequenced. However, books do not match the sounds that pupils are learning precisely enough. 

“This means that a few pupils do not have the opportunity to practise the sounds they have just learned often enough to become fluent readers.”

Full report – https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50216918