A 'Good' end to the term at Castel Primary

Wednesday 18 December 2024

Staff and pupils at Castel Primary School will be ending their school term on a high after a positive Ofsted report.

The school was recently visited by inspectors who have rated it 'Good' across five categories.

Schools can be graded as either Inadequate, Requires Improvement, Good, or Excellent for the Quality of Education provided, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development and Welfare, Leadership and Management, and Early Years provision - meaning Castel Primary has received the second highest rating it can, across the board.

The Headteacher of Castle Primary School, said this 'Good' result is down to his staff's hard work. 

"We are very pleased with the findings of this inspection, which recognises so many of the positive traits of Castel Primary School," said Pete Curtis.

"I was particularly pleased that all our staff’s hard work around developing the curriculum was recognised by the inspectors. As ever with school inspections, there are things for us to focus on and continue improving, which I have no doubt we will collectively work on in the months ahead. To achieve gradings of good in all areas of the inspection is something I am proud of on behalf of the whole school community."

Pictured: Castel Primary's Ofsted report was published this week.

Ofsted highlighted some areas in particular where the inspectors felt the school was performing well.

The nurturing and inclusive environment is one positive aspect of life for pupils at Castel Primary, they said, with clear routines and a"sharp focus" on children's personal, social and emotional development.

The school is continuing to improve its provision for pupils with additional learning needs, and it has high expectations for pupils' behaviour.

Castel Primary’s new leadership team is also highlighted, after working alongside the Education Office to "strengthen the curriculum and manage change at the school". 

Some areas where improvements could be made at Castel Primary include a need for teachers to more consistently check that pupils fully understand what they have been taught.

Inspectors also found that targets to support pupils with additional learning needs are at times not precise and informative enough, meaning the provision for pupils with ALN sometimes does not meet their needs.

Nick Hynes, Director of Education, welcomed the report, which can be read in full HERE.

"Castel has continued the trend of our schools achieving very positive inspection outcomes and I am delighted for Pete and his team, who have worked incredibly hard," he said.

"Our partnership with Ofsted continues to support the delivery of a good quality of education to the island’s young people and community. This inspection report is something the whole school community should be proud of."

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, agreed that the positive report is a credit to the hard work of all staff at Castel Primary, while adding how important Ofsted inspections are to our wider educational offering.

"On behalf of the Committee I’d like to congratulate Pete and the entire team at Castel, which includes staff, parents, carers and of course pupils too, and also thank them for their ongoing hard work. This report clearly demonstrates the very positive work taking place at Castel, and I have no doubt the school will continue to progress.

"External Inspections continue to play an important role in ensuring we have that crucial independent validation of our settings."

Pictured top: Castel Primary School (Facebook).