13/03/13 Tree being planted and blessed and 'Good' ofsted report - Ryecroft Middle School, Denstone Lane, Rocester Ryecroft School, Good Ofsted Head Teacher Steve BardonA ROCESTER head teacher is ‘absolutely delighted’ after being told the school is ‘good’ by Ofsted inspectors.
Ryecroft Middle School, in Denstone Road, has received a good rating in its latest Ofsted report, after being told it was satisfactory back in 2010.
The inspector found the pupils made good progress through the school, school leaders were rigorous in making sure no pupil falls behind for long, the head teacher and governors had been successful in improving the school, pupils enjoy learning and behaved well and they had opportunities to experience a range of stimulating activities.
Pupil Bethan Thomas, 11, said: “I think it is a good school to be at. The pupils are happy here and the teaching is good.
“I think it has got a friendly environment and it has helped me a lot since I have been here. The lessons are fun, not boring and feel like they go on for ages.”
However, the school was told although it is improving, progress is not outstanding, most teaching is good rather than outstanding, they do not learn enough about other cultures, middle leaders do not identify clearly enough how pupils can improve and pupils do not always take the next step to improve their work.
Head teacher Steve Bardon said: “I am absolutely delighted. It is the best news I have had in the four years I have been at the school.
“I sent the report home to parents and when I was out in the car park, they were coming up saying they knew it was a good school but now it has been recognised by Ofsted.
“We are focusing on improving the quality of teaching and have addressed writing across the curriculum. We are also looking at the way we are rewarding pupils and their behaviour.
“The inspectors recognised they were polite and friendly which is a really nice reflection on the pupils here. It also found pupils were good at working independently and in group situations to give them different ways of learning.
“We are definitely going in the right direction. The next step is to become outstanding.”
Assistant head Matthew Hall said: “I am over the moon. There has been a lot of hard work from everyone here including the pupils as it is about them. I think this has confirmed what we all felt that Ryecroft makes a big difference to these children and equips them for their move to high school.”
