11:48am Thursday 30th March 2006
Pencoys School has been praised as a good school whose pupils are making good progress in a glowing report from Ofsted Inspectors. The school inits present form has only been opened since September 2003.
The report also commends the behaviour of pupils, and their positive attitudes to learning, the support from parents and the school's very caring and happy ethos.
The new OFSTED regime awards a series of grades for individual aspects of a school, ranging from 1, for outstanding, down to 4 for inadequate. Pencoys Primary School, which was opened in September 2003, was awarded a Grade 2 (good) for its overall effectiveness.
"This is a good school in which teachers have a clear understanding of how to continue raising standards. In just over two years a very caring, happy, attractive and imaginative environment has been established. Due credit goes to the Headteacher and staff for creating an effective school in a short period of time. There is a very strong focus on staff working together as a team.
"Good teaching is enabling pupils to make good progress. The good relationships all staff have with pupils, as well as the good relationships between the pupils themselves, mean that the school has created a positive environment where pupils want to learn.
"Care and support for pupils are strengths of the school. The pupils enjoy their work and are becoming increasingly self articulate when discussing their learning and progress. They are being self confidence and the will to succeed."
Headteacher Linda Morley Dawe said: "I am absolutely thrilled with the inspection findings. This is a wonderful recognition of achievement for our school and its community.
"The report highlights many outstanding aspects of our work and highly praises our school achievements. All members of our school team from the pupils and parents to the staff and Governors have all worked exceptionally hard to make Pencoys a very good school. I am so proud to celebrate its success and keen to lead the school into the future."
The report praises the overall quality of teaching and learning, and the achievement and standards attained by pupils. "The quality of teaching in the school is good. Teachers have secure subject knowledge which they use effectively to extend pupils' knowledge, understanding and skills. Pupils are making good progress throughout the school."
It also commends the good provision for pupils' personal development; the care, guidance and support and the "outstanding" provision for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities .
"All staff maintain high levels of care and concern for the well being of all pupils. Teaching assistants are well trained and knowledgeable. The quality of their support is an important reason for these pupils making good progress."
The Inspectors also praise the organisation and administration of the school.
"The quality of leadership and management at all levels is very good. The Headteacher has skilfully established a strong team spirit across the whole staff. This has secured a very positive ethos and co-operative working environment.
"In setting up a new school on a new site, the many challenges which arise have not diverted staff from quickly providing an attractive and inspiring learning environment, both inside and outside. Having established a secure and happy environment, the focus is now rightly placed on pupils' standards of attainment.
"Governors are well informed about the school and play an active part in all aspects, including regular and frequent visiting."
Pupils are described as well behaved and displaying positive attitudes towards education.
"They have positive attitudes to school and clearly enjoy their education. This is supported by the many positive comments made by parents.
"They make a valuable contribution to the community and join in various events, such as singing with a local male voice choir and raising money for local, national and international charities."
The Inspectors identified just one area of action for governors and staff to raise standards further :- to raise pupils' attainment , especially in English and Maths, by setting more challenging targets for all year groups.
Chairman of governors John Oddy said: On behalf of the Governing Body, I would like to welcome the recent Ofsted Report. The report highlights the enormous progress that has been made in establishing this new school. It acknowledges the amount of work done by all the partners involved; pupils, parents, staff and governors.
"We, as governors, are extremely proud of our school and all those involved with it, we are confident that we can all use the report as a springboard for future improvement, Our aim remains to provide the highest possible quality of education for our pupils.
"Pencoys prides itself on teamwork, but teams are only as good as their leader and we are indebted to Mrs. Morley Dawe for her professional leadership."
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk