Batheaston Church School has been described as a school which teaches all children to be the ‘best version of themselves in its latest Ofsted report.
In delivering a verdict of ‘Good’ in all five aspects of the inspection – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and early years education – the inspection team said Batheaston was a school where relations between staff and pupils are ‘warm and encouraging’.
The school, led by headteacher Sally Jefferies, has 190 pupils on the roll and the inspection report noted how children are enthusiastic about learning and as a result get off to the best of starts in their education journey. The report added that the leaders and staff are ‘ambitious for all pupils’.
It was also noted how behaviour is good in class with one parent telling the inspectors, “My child is always excited to go to school.”
There was praise for the range of clubs and activities, including art and choir, and the inspectors remarked upon how such opportunities foster children’s imagination and helps them to be physically active.
The inspectors added:
- ‘Pupils are proud of their school and older pupils enjoy extra responsibilities, (such as being) buddies for younger children.’
- ‘The school’s phonics programme is effective and fosters a love of reading. Children learn to read as soon as they start school and get off to a good start.’
- ‘Relations between children, staff and parents are caring and supportive.’
- ‘Pupils show respect and tolerance. They say ‘it doesn’t matter what’s on the outside, it matters what’s on the inside’.’
“We are thrilled by this verdict of Good across all parts of our school and this is a testament to the way staff, children and families work together,” said Ms Jefferies. “We were particularly happy that the inspectors saw how ambitious we are for every child and that pupils conveyed the sense of excitement they feel by coming here.
“We also work closely with the team at the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust, which we joined in 2018, and we will be looking to build further on this report to continue to offer the very best start in the education journey for children in Batheaston and beyond.”