School in the GOOD books
Aerial photo and a trip to the zoo celebrate Ofsted report
A GOSPORT school is celebrating its good Ofsted report with a trip to Marwell Zoo — and proved the sky’s the limit with the aerial picture above, photographed by a drone.
The judgement is the culmination of a long journey for Newtown Primary School after it was deemed inadequate and placed into special measures in 2014.
A subsequent inspection in 2017 judged the school as requiring improvement before finally achieving its good status after a November inspection.
The children found out about the judgement in a celebratory assembly which included a video invitation from staff at the zoo.
Year 6 pupil, Eloise Shearman, 10, said: ‘I’m proud of my school but knowing someone else thinks we are good is brilliant. I’m really looking forward to going to the zoo.’
Will Bell, nine, added: ‘I just felt really amazed and everyone deserves the trip to Marwell.’ Headteacher Emma Howlett felt it was important to recognise the hard work and dedication of the staff and children. ‘I believed we were a good school but the report provides verification that we are good in all areas. It has been a really turbulent few years but the local authority and governors have been very supportive in what we have been trying to achieve. ‘We wanted to do something as a whole school and this trip is a nice way to celebrate with all the children,’ she said.
For Mrs Howlett, one of the most pleasing aspects of the report was the recognition of the quality of the pupils’ curriculum.
The report stated: ‘The school’s curriculum is well designed and sequenced thoughtfully. Everyone is determined that the wellestablished curriculum is delivered effectively. Step by step, pupils build successfully on what has gone before.’
It’s a sentiment shared by the children.
Year 6 pupil, Charlie Molyneaux, 11, said: ‘Everything is better now. When I first started at the school we would often go onto a new topic before I really understood what we had learnt. Learning is much more fun now.’
Classmate Kian Cartland, 11, added: ‘Lessons are very good as the teachers make it fun and interesting. Behaviour is also much better now.’
The report also praised the positive relationships between children, staff and the wider local community.
Mrs Howlett said: ‘The continued support of parents has been paramount to the success of this judgement.
‘This ends a 14-year legacy of being graded as requires improvement or below. I’m thrilled that Newtown can now be seen as a beacon of education in the local community.’