EXCELLENT behaviour and positive attitudes to learning have helped a Fareham school to receive a good Ofsted rating.
Wallisdean Junior School, which had been deemed satisfactory for a number of years, has now been rated good.
Inspectors said the improvement has been due to the strong and determined leadership of the headteacher, with support from the staff and the governing body.
Pupils’ achievement is good, including that of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs.
And inspectors said that the behaviour and safety of pupils at the school is outstanding and that their excellent attitudes to learning have a big impact on their progress.
Headteacher Natasha Farrell said: ‘I’m delighted. It indicates all the hard work that everybody has put into turning the school around.
‘The kids have worked hard and the teachers have worked extremely hard.
‘It’s been a real community effort to get the kids on track. There is a really good feeling in the school now. It’s vibrant and lively.
‘The kids are engaged in their learning. They understand where they are and what they have got to do to improve further.’
She added: ‘We have worked hard. When I first came here the children were quiet and well behaved but they weren’t particularly pro-active.
‘Now their characters are coming through
‘They have a lively energy. They like to make a difference to their own lives and to the lives of others. They are very respectful to the staff.’
The report also said that teaching is good and occasionally outstanding.
Mrs Farrell added: ‘The feedback we had for the quality of teaching and learning is that although we came out with good, they did say that the assessment procedures we have in place are outstanding. They said we have got excellent practice.
In order to become an outstanding school, staff must provide more opportunities for pupils to solve mathematical problems in real-life situations in a range of subjects, and ensure they can explain how they worked out their answer.
There must also be more outstanding teaching in place by July. Mrs Farrell added: ‘We are hopeful that we can reach an outstanding level of performance. All the capacity is here now.’
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