STUDENTS and staff at Sandy Lane Primary School are celebrating after receiving a glowing report from education inspectors.
The Bracknell school was rated ‘good’ by watchdog Ofsted after being inspected in February.
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This comes after education inspectors slated the quality of teaching and leadership at Sandy Lane following a 2017 visit and told bosses the school ‘required improvement’.
Headteacher Neil Davies, who joined the school three years ago, has been working behind-the-scenes with staff to make improvements at Sandy Lane.
He said: “We’re thrilled to see all the hard work put in by both staff and pupils reflected in this well-deserved ‘good’ rating from Ofsted.
“We pride ourselves in developing ambitious, aspirational learners and responsible community citizens and this rating reflects all the great things we do at Sandy Lane.
“I’m delighted for all involved."
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A report published earlier this month rated the school ‘good’ in all five categories it was assessed on.
This included the quality of education pupils received, the leadership and management at the school and early years provision -- all areas Ofsted said Sandy Lane needed to improve in three years ago.
According to the report, senior staff have built robust relationships with pupils’ parents and mums and dads interviewed by Ofsted praised the work of the headteacher.
One parent told inspectors: “The school is at the heart of the community and the community is at the heart of the school.”
Pupils are “proud” to be part of Sandy Lane Primary School, they enjoy learning together and are quick to settle into class, inspectors found.
They are well-behaved around the school, hold doors open for each other and are “always polite and friendly”.
The children’s learning builds on what they already know and leaders at Sandy Lane have ensured reading is now “at the heart” of the school curriculum, with greater help available for those who have fallen behind.
Phonics teaching is a “strength” and pupils develop their reading skills faster than they did before.
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Councillor Gareth Barnard, Bracknell Forest Council’s children, young people and learning chief, said: “Everyone at Sandy Lane should be very proud of this result from Ofsted, which reflects all the hard work put into ensuring pupils can thrive in a nurturing environment.
“It is important now to build on this success, to ensure everyone keeps working together. We look forward to seeing the school go from strength to strength.”
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