“Expectations are high and pupils respond exceptionally well. There is an uncompromising commitment that every child deserves the very best and strives to be ‘the best you can be’. Pupils live up to the very high expectations,” Ofsted has concluded following a two-day inspection at St Nicholas at Wade CE Primary.
The report – which is ungraded – finds the school has improved significantly across all areas since the previous inspection in October 2019 when it received an overall ‘good’ grading.
Head Teacher Taralee Kennedy, who took over in September 2022, said: “This is a fantastic appraisal of the school’s ongoing excellent performance in all areas. It reflects on the enthusiasm and dedication of our wonderful pupils and families, teaching and support staff, governors and friends.”
Ofsted said ‘pupils grow as well-rounded, confident individuals in this excellent, nurturing and inclusive school’ and found ‘there is a strong culture of care and kindness where pupils thrive and flourish.’
It continued: “All pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are challenged and supported to achieve their very best academically and personally.”
The report says St Nicholas has “an extremely calm ethos and purposeful atmosphere, with very happy pupils in every classroom. Pupils bubble with enthusiasm for learning. Their behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary, and consequently, they achieve highly.
“Pupils feel very safe in school and know that staff listen to them if they have any worries or concerns.” T
The inspector found that :“Pupils are respectful and kind and always willing to help each other out. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school. Many speak of its strong caring, community ethos. Reflecting the views of many, one commented, ‘I feel like I’m handing my child over to family every day.’”
Ofsted highlighted the ‘extremely well-designed and ambitious curriculum’ that ‘inspires curiosity and imagination from Reception age groups onwards particularly in early reading, writing and mathematical skills’.
It notes that reading is a high priority across the school with ‘an unwavering determination that every child will be a reader’. It added: “A love of reading is promoted all around the school and is inspired by teachers’ enthusiasm. Pupils are encouraged to read widely and often and develop as confident, fluent readers.”
Ofsted found the school’s values of courage, honesty, resilience and kindness are embedded deeply in its culture. It stated: “They are demonstrated incredibly well by everyone in every aspect of school life.”
The report also praised the ‘rich range of activities beyond the academic, including a wide choice of after-school clubs, visits, visitors to school and special events’ that ‘help bring learning to life and further enrich pupils’ cultural, social and spiritual development’.
Leaders are described as being ‘highly effective in improving the performance of the school’. Ofsted found staff are ‘happy and proud to work at St Nicholas’ and feel ‘greatly valued and work as a skilled, enthusiastic and dedicated team’.
It also added: “Governors support and challenge leaders and share the vision to make a positive difference in pupils’ lives. There is no complacency but a steely determination to build on current successes and secure further improvement.”
The full Ofsted report can be found on the school’s website online at: https://www.st-nicholas-birchington.kent.sch.uk/page/?title=Ofsted+Report&pid=21
