St Anne’s School’s quality of education ‘needs improving’
THE quality of education at St Anne’s School needs to improve, but all other aspects of the school were rated as good in its first Ofsted report.
The Alderney school, which has 120 pupils, provides education for children aged four to 17 years old.
The inspectors noted that pupils were happy, safe and inquisitive about the world, and there were no issues with bullying.
Students felt well-supported and developed strong friendships.
But inspectors were concerned that pupils do not study a well-structured curriculum in all subjects, the school could use assessment better, and there were failings in PSHE lessons.
Staff were committed to improving the quality of education, it was noted, and 'relentless' in rectifying weaknesses in the curriculum.
‘However, the impact of this work is not evident in what pupils learn,’ the
report stated.
‘For example, many primary-age pupils do not have secure knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to enable them to learn more complex mathematics.’
The school has an effective English programme and most pupils learn to read effectively. However, students’ progress needs to be more effectively assessed, and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities needed more support.
Overall the school was rated as good for behaviour and attitudes, personal development and welfare, leadership and management, and early years provision.
Quality of education required improvement.
St Anne’s School headteacher Wendy Wilson said she was pleased that Ofsted had recognised many of the qualities of the school and the positive experiences the pupils receive at St Anne’s.
‘Whilst there are undoubtedly areas where we can, and will, improve, I was heartened that the inspection report reinforces our belief that we are firmly on the right track,’ she said.
‘I continue to be very proud of the achievements of both pupils and staff here at St Anne’s School and I look forward to steering our school community towards further school improvements, in my privileged role as headteacher.’
Ms Wilson originally joined the school as an interim deputy headteacher in 2016, having previously been the head of English at a UK school. She took over as headteacher from Martin Winward last year.
Director of education Nick Hynes said the fact that the school provided education for students aged between four and 17 made providing education more complicated.
‘I’m really pleased with the progress being made by Wendy and her team,’ he said.
‘This is a positive inspection report that identifies good practice in many areas and acknowledges that where improvements are needed, staff have identified them and know what needs to be done.'
