12:03pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008
By Joanna Davis
TEACHING of responsible citizenship has been praised at a rural primary school following an all-round good inspection report.
Pupils at Portesham Primary School are thought to be green', healthy and happy because of the school's lively and diverse lessons.
Overall, 21 areas of the 99-pupil school were rated good, one area was rated outstanding and five areas were rated satisfactory.
Singled out for praise as outstanding was the way in which Portesham's learners adopt healthy lifestyles.
The report said: Health week is an annual event and active playtimes' operate daily in the morning break.' Inspectors didn't assess the quality of senior leadership at the school because both the headteacher and deputy headteacher were on maternity leave at the time of the inspection.
One area of concern identified by inspectors was the school's lack of a system to follow up unexplained absences.
The report said: The school is working successfully with educational social workers to encourage better attendance, but at the moment there is no system whereby unexplained absence is followed up the same morning by a telephone call to home.' Inspectors also noted that parents would like to see more of their views given weight and advised that communications should be improved between the school and parents.
Progress in children's writing had been much improved, the report said, but progress in Key Stage 2 maths was thought to be slower, particularly for the most able pupils.
Marking should also be more consistent, inspectors wrote.
The Ofsted team found that pupils were kept interested during their lessons and observed problem solving among Years 3 and 4 using a train that moved when a chosen number combination was correct.
Chairman of governors Jane Lones said: "We are delighted with the results of this Ofsted report which is testament to the hard work, commitment and partnership working of the governors, staff, parents and pupils.
"However we are not complacent and we fully take on board all of the recommendations."
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