Staff, pupils and their families at Fitzmaurice Primary School are celebrating Ofsted’s findings after inspectors visited their inclusive and community-minded primary school in Bradford-on-Avon last term. This school is part of the Palladian Trust Academy family – a trust of six primary schools, two infant and two junior schools, and a large secondary school. It is the first Thrive* trust in England.
The report recognises that Fitzmaurice Primary School’s culture of kindness, care, and high expectations is resulting in pupils’ ‘caring and supportive’ behaviour and positive learning outcomes inside and outside of the classroom. It states, ‘Pupils are proud to attend Fitzmaurice Primary School’ and ‘talk willingly about how the school’s motto of ‘aiming high, showing respect and having fun’ guides them every day.’
Highlighting that ‘pastoral care is a strength of the school,’ the inspectors also noted that all pupils feel ‘safe’ and ‘secure’ from the moment they begin their school life and that it is an ‘environment where pupils are listened to.’ They also observed the pupil’s ‘high levels of trust in staff to help them,’ describing how the ‘relationships between pupils and staff are warm and encouraging.’
The school is praised for its ‘well-designed curriculum’ that ‘excites pupils’ interest and helps them build knowledge over time,’ and their effective development of maths and reading whole school focus – from foundation through to year 6 – was highly commended.
As a fully inclusive school, Fitzmaurice tailors specialist provisions to support pupils’ individual needs. The inspectors noted that all pupils learn the same curriculum as their peers and ‘all pupils participate in the wider life of the school.’ The report notes that ‘pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified accurately,’ and that ‘staff make sure pupils with SEND have the right additional teaching and pastoral support.’
Inspectors observed how Fitzmaurice pupils are ‘well prepared for life in modern Britain’ by learning ‘to respect beliefs and religions that are different from their own’ and how they ‘can talk confidently about fundamental British Values such as democracy.’
As well as interviewing staff and pupils, inspectors were keen to capture parent and carer voices. The report declares that ‘parents are overwhelmingly positive [and that] they feel that the school is a caring community where every pupil is included and valued as an individual.’
Head of School, Jo Hill, commented, “We are delighted that the report recognises the incredible team effort from our devoted teachers and school community over the past few years. This has endorsed that the high standards of education and care our pupils receive have been sustained since our last inspection.
“We are never complacent and are always striving to improve and a prime example of this is the introduction of our enhanced early reading strategy, which was also praised by the inspectors.”
CEO of Palladian Academy Trust, Donna Tandy, added, “I am so proud of the whole Fitzmaurice Primary School community – our staff, pupils and their families. This school is a testament to what can be achieved when there is a strong culture of inclusion, care and kindness. I’m so pleased that the inspectors recognised not only the school’s highly effective academic provision but also its excellent holistic provision which focuses on the personal development of our pupils.
* Palladian Academy Trust is the first Thrive trust in the country. The Thrive approach promotes social, emotional and mental health development across all areas of school life.