Walsall Children's Services

Margaret Carter, Strategic Leader Performance, School Improvement for Education Walsall says:

“It is pleasing to see that Ofsted has recognised the hard work, commitment and dedication in providing high quality education for pupils in these schools.”

Millfields Nursery School is an ‘outstanding school providing children with an excellent start to their education’

Millfields Nursery School Community Services was praised in its recent Ofsted report as being “outstanding in all areas” and received grade one overall. The report refers to the inspirational leadership of the headteacher and children’s outstanding personal development that reflect the excellent quality of care, guidance and support children receive. This view is borne out by parents, who are delighted with the school’s work. Parent’s commented that, “This is a first-class Nursery School” and “The enriching environment alongside the dedication of committed staff is what makes Millfields special”.

The Neighbourhood Nursery which is attached to the school was inspected by Ofsted on the same day and also received an outstanding report.

Lynda Myatt, headteacher, said: “I am over the moon. I am retiring at the end of the summer term and these reports are the icing on the cake! This is the third time that this school has received an outstanding report from Ofsted. In addition, our extended services (our Neighbourhood Nursery) are also reported as outstanding. What a wonderful achievement by all concerned.”

Inspectors noted that the children are very well prepared for the next stage of education, both academically and socially. Achievement is outstanding due to the excellent quality of teaching they receive. The curriculum is carefully planned to stimulate children’s imagination and to develop their language, communication and problem-solving skills.

The report refers to the atmosphere in school as being “calm and purposeful with co-operation being very good, as children willingly share equipment and listen to each other’s ideas.” It was noted that they are developing a very good understanding of the importance of working together in a community and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding.

The leadership and management of the school are also outstanding, with the report stating: “The headteacher successfully motivates staff and has extremely high expectations. The acquisition of a range of quality awards is testimony to the first-class education provided for children. Teamwork is exceptional, ensuring new ideas and initiatives are put into practice.” Governors were reported as being “very effective and knowing the school well.”

Lynda added: “I would like to pay tribute to the staff and governors who work hard to ensure that the school maintains such high standards. I would also like to thank the parents/carers for their continued support.”

Park Hall Infant School ‘is an outstanding school’

Ofsted inspectors heaped praise on Park Hall Infant School as being “an outstanding school where pupils achieve extremely well in their academic learning and take great strides in their personal development.” In all five areas of the inspection which included leadership, teaching and the curriculum, the school received a grade one – exceptionally and consistently high.

Brett Westwood, headteacher said: “We are delighted with the outcome of our Ofsted Inspection and are proud to be an “outstanding school.” We are particularly pleased that everyone involved with Park Hall Infant School is recognised and given such high praise throughout the final report.”

Inspectors praised the overall effectiveness of the school and noted that “Consistent quality both across the school and over time reflects the very determined and highly effective leadership and management provided by the headteacher and her senior colleagues.”

They highlighted that consistency was an impressive feature of pupils’ outstanding achievement. In 2007, the reading and writing results were both exceptionally high. Both at the Foundation Stage and in Years 1 and 2, pupils of all abilities, needs and backgrounds make exceptional progress. This is a tribute to the school’s total commitment to equal opportunities.

The inspectors stated “The reason for pupils’ excellent academic achievement is their equally successful personal development. Very good behaviour and very positive attitudes provide an ideal basis for learning. This is the result of teachers’ skilful encouragement of self-discipline and their provision of stimulating lessons.”

Pupils informed inspectors that they greatly enjoy school; the only complaint from one pupil was he “would like to do more colouring!” The confident, independent and responsible way pupils join in and contribute to school life far exceeds the normal expectation for their age.

Outstanding leadership and management are key factors in the school’s success. The headteacher and her team were praised with inspectors noting that “Clear-sighted and committed leadership by the headteacher is accompanied by very strong support from senior colleagues, a hardworking staff and watchful governing body.”

Pheasey Park Farm Primary School ‘is a good school with a significant number of outstanding features’

Pheasey Park Farm Primary School, which is one of the largest primary schools in the country, was inspected in February and was found to be “well led and managed and had maintained consistently good improvement for a number of years.” The school received a grade two overall.

It was noted that the Children’s Centre gives the very young children and their families exceptionally good support and prepares the children thoroughly for their next steps. Inspectors summed up the school brilliantly by saying that “the pupils have a consistently effective education from their first days in school to their last.'”

Rhoda Poyser, headteacher said “We are delighted that our Children's Centre, which opened last year, has also been highly praised by Ofsted”

Inspectors also praised the teaching which ensures that “Pupils of all abilities make good progress'” and found the personal development and well being of children to be outstanding. Pupils were said to be “well prepared for their future life” and the report praises children for their “exemplary behaviour” and found that they have an excellent attitude to their work.

The headteacher and her team were praised as inspectors noted that she “has provided exceptionally good leadership to set the school on course for a very successful future. She has high expectations and sets very challenging targets, which other leaders support with enthusiasm.”

Governors were reported to “have realistic insights into the school’s performance and ask the necessary questions to ensure it is meeting its goals.”

This inspection came a week after the school and Children’s Centre had been assessed for the Every Child Matters (ECM) quality mark, which was achieved by the school at gold standard. In October 2007, the school had gained the Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSiS) quality standard, following a rigorous audit of financial procedures and governors’ work. In December, the school re-applied for Artsmark, which entails an in depth self-evaluation of their work in the arts. They are currently working towards a Gifted and Talented quality mark and regaining the ICT mark. They are then looking forward to a Health and Safety audit in April.

Fibbersley Park Primary School ‘is a great school and an asset to the local community’

This newly established school formed from the amalgamation of three primary schools, achieved a grade two in its recent Ofsted inspection. “This is a great school and we are lucky to have it” was a typical comment from a parent about this good and rapidly improving school.

Inspectors noted that “Children get off to a flying start in the nursery and reception classes and make good progress as a result of effective, well-managed provision.” They also “work maturely and sensibly in groups.”

It was observed by inspectors that “Standards are likely to fluctuate for the next few years because pupils have come from three different schools with varying standards of educational experiences.” In order to address this, staff have set out to ensure that pupils, whatever their ability, make good progress in relation to their varied starting points. This has been achieved by setting challenging academic targets, monitoring pupils’ progress regularly and ensuring that pupils get work that is appropriate to their individual needs.

The headteacher and her team were praised in the report by inspectors. They commented that: “The headteacher is extremely dedicated and hardworking” and that “Much of the school’s success and rapid development is the result of the outstanding leadership of the headteacher, who has been supported well by other senior staff.” It was also noted that “Good leadership and management mean that the provision runs smoothly, with a sharp focus on children achieving well and enjoying school.”

Joanna Austin, headteacher said: “We are very proud of the report as it reflects the fact that this is a newly established school which was formed from the amalgamation of three primary schools with varying standards of education experiences. Staff from the three schools have worked extremely well together and I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication. My thanks also go to the children and to the parents and governors for their continued support.”

It was stated that “The good progress that pupils make is due to good teaching. Teachers organise activities well and have good subject knowledge that ensures they present their lessons confidently. They plan very well for different ability groups, particularly in English and mathematics. This enables pupils to receive work that is appropriate to their needs. The skilful team of teaching assistants contributes particularly well to this.”

Governors were reported as being “very supportive and have worked particularly hard to ensure that the new school building fulfilled the ambitions of the local community. They understand their role well and as a group bring a wide range of experiences from outside education that benefits the school.”