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School on the pathway to being outstanding

Barnstaple's Pathfield School nudging towards top rating

Education inspectors have rated a North Devon special school as good and close to outstanding. Pathfield School in Barnstaple was judged to be a good school in 2013 by inspectors from the school standards agency Ofsted. They have rated the school good again following a return visit earlier this year. But senior inspector, Steffi Penny, added: “I am of the opinion that the school has demonstrated strong practice and marked improvement in certain areas.

“This may indicate the school is improving towards being outstanding.” Ms Penny says that – no matter what their learning needs or difficulties – pupils and students are thoughtfully cared for and protected by staff. She continues: “Children, pupils and students are provided with a rounded and interesting range of experiences and activities.

“The school provides a curriculum for pupils and accredited courses for students which are individualised and highly effective. The dreams, desires and aspirations of pupils and students are the foundation base for their individual learning pathways. Staff ensure there is no glass ceiling for pupils’ ambitions.” Ms Penny says students are well prepared for life after school and Pathfield’s high quality provision and practice should be more widely shared with other schools.

At the previous inspection, school leaders were asked to improve teaching so that a higher proportion of pupils make outstanding progress, and the report says that this has been addressed fully. However, Ms Penny’s report says that although most parents and carers are very supportive of the work that the school does, a few parents reported that they would like more daily information about their children.

She said: “The staff communicate with parents by telephone, text, email and through the home/school diary. Looking through the diaries I noticed that the amount of information varied between classes. We concurred that staff need to check the level of communication that parents expect and to come to a compromise that makes staff workload appropriate, but keeps parents sufficiently informed.”

Headteacher, Claire May, said: “I am extremely proud of our pupils and it is a privilege to work with such dedicated staff who are so committed to achieving the best outcomes for the pupils and students.

“It is a great achievement for Steffi Penny to have recognized that our staff ensure there is no glass ceiling for pupils’ ambition at Pathfield School.”

 

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