Sithney Community Primary School in Cornwall has received a 'Good' rating in its first Ofsted report as an academy. 

The school near Helston had not had a full grading inspection since it converted to an academy in 2017, with Ofsted only inspecting on an interim basis in 2021.

However, it was fully assessed for the first time on October 31 and November 1 last year, with the report published in December.

A grading of 'Good' is second highest, under 'Outstanding'. 

The Ofsted report noted that "pupils at Sithney Community Primary School start each day with a smile and an enthusiasm to learn.

"Most pupils attend well and are punctual.

"They value the nurture and care they receive from supportive staff."

The school's staff includes head of school, Helen Neil, who only took up the position in September last year. The school is overseen by executive headteacher Linda May, while the CEO of the Crofty Multi Academy Trust, which it is now part of, is Simon Hague.

The report highlights that "pupils are polite and ‘respectful communicators'.

"Many pupils take on school responsibilities, which they do with pride.

"For example, members of the Eco Council are environmental ambassadors, who help the school and local area to be more eco-friendly."

Falmouth Packet: The newly established academy was fully assessed for the first time on October 31 and November 1,

Pupils also learn about career aspirations and business enterprise through opportunities planned in the wider curriculum.

Ofsted praised the school's efforts to provide effective reading education, noting how students become "confident readers who read widely across the curriculum," and that the reading curriculum "supports pupils to explore a range of high-quality texts."

According to the report, Sithney Community Primary School places a strong emphasis on their pupils' personal development.

The inspection team said: "The carefully planned assembly programme, curriculum subjects and wider opportunities help to develop ‘resilient individuals’. 

"They have the skills and knowledge to become thoughtful ‘world citizens’."

Safeguarding measures at the school were found to be effective, and it was noted that staff find their workload manageable due to the help provided by the leadership team.

Ofsted did highlight areas that could be improved to raise its grading even further. 

Specifically, the report outlines improvement needed in the development of some subjects, as well as staff's expectations about the quality of pupils' presentation not being high enough.

Regarding this, the Ofsted report concluded: "The school and the trust should ensure that the curriculum identifies the key knowledge and concepts that pupils need to know in all subjects.

"The school and the trust should ensure that all staff insist on high expectations for pupils."

The overall assessment of the school was highly positive, with the Ofsted report ratings in each category of inspection as follows:

  • Overall effectiveness: Good
  • Quality of Education: Good
  • Behaviour and Attitudes: Good
  • Personal Development: Good
  • Leadership and Management: Good
  • Early Years Provision: Good

To view the Ofsted report in full, visit https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50234863.