‘Report is my proudest moment’ says Wimblington school’s trust CEO

A Fenland primary school where pupils are proud to attend has impressed Ofsted inspectors and has now been rated ‘Good’.

Thomas Eaton Primary Academy in Wimblington was previously rated as ‘requires improvement’ when it was last inspected by the Government’s education watchdog in November 2019.

Ofsted inspectors Dave Gibson and Julie Winwood visited the school over two days in October.

They have now published their report which shows the school is rated ‘good’ across all categories including the quality of education and the behaviour and attitudes of the pupils.

A point that was welcomed by Susannah Connell, the CEO of the Diamond Learning Partnership Trust, which runs the school, who said their findings is “probably one of my proudest moments as CEO”.

The report said: “Pupils at Thomas Eaton Primary Academy enjoy coming to school. They are proud of being a pupil at Thomas Eaton and enthusiastically show their school off to visitors.

“Many pupils have an infectious enthusiasm for learning. They respond to adults’ high expectations by trying hard. They learn well independently and together.”

The report said the school has spent some time redesigning its curriculum and it is now rooted in ambition and developed to give pupils the information they need to succeed in the future.

There was praise for teachers who the report said deliver knowledge to pupils in a “carefully considered order”.

It goes on: “This helps pupils build on what they have learned before. Consequently, pupils deepen their learning and develop a secure understanding of the subjects they learn. The importance of reading is embedded throughout the curriculum. All staff have been trained in how the agreed phonics scheme helps pupils learn to read. The delivery of phonics to early readers is of a consistently high quality.”

Pupils who are at risk of falling behind are quickly identified and helped to keep up.

Most lessons proceed without interruption says the report thanks to pupils understanding expectations of their behaviour and understanding the boundaries and what happens if they cross the line.

The report highlights the fact the school has been through a number of changes in leadership in recent years but adds the local governing body and the Diamond Learning Partnership Trust have worked with staff and parents through this period, and “their determination to provide the best provision is unwavering”.

In order to improve and reach the ‘outstanding’ mark the school needs to work on making clear its expectations around classroom routines that support pupils to maintain their focus and attention.

At the moment teachers have not been trained to identify when pupils’ attention begins to wane.

Susannah Connell said: "I am truly proud of this report and thrilled to read so many positive comments. I would like to thank the pupils, staff, parents, and members of our community who, over the years, have supported Thomas Eaton Academy. It is an amazing school with dedicated staff who are extremely proud to work at the school with children who are determined to succeed.

"There is still work to do, but I have no doubt that the school will continue successfully on its journey. It has been a pleasure to watch the school grow before my eyes – this is probably one of my proudest moments as CEO.

“I am delighted that the Ofsted inspection recognised this. We are very proud of our amazing young people, our superb school and the wonderful community we serve."