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Published: 28th January, 2011
by TERRY MESSENGER

PUPILS and teachers at Rotherfield Primary School in De Beauvoir Town are celebrating an “excellent” Ofsted report – which praised them particularly for how kind and polite they are. 

The school was judged as outstanding for the effectiveness of its “care and guidance” and its “partnerships in promoting learning and well being.”

It scored “good” in most other categories including “outcomes for pupils” and behaviour.

In a letter to pupils, lead inspector June Woodhouse said: “We were impressed with how polite you are and the kind way you treat each other. 

“We also saw that you try hard in class and this is showing in the way you are improving your work, especially in English and mathematics.”

But the school was criticised by inspectors for not stretching its “middle ability and most able pupils”.

And its attendance record was marked as inadequate.

Ms Woodhouse told the pupils: “Sometimes, those of you who learn quickly could make more progress if the tasks were a bit more challenging and different from what the rest of the class is doing.

“We have asked your teachers to make sure that this happens.

“We know that some of you do not come to school every day, but you are improving. It is very, very important to come to school every day, and on time, so that you do not miss your lessons.”

The school’s recently retired headteacher, Elaine Adams, was praised in the report for her “strong belief that all pupils can thrive and learn well if their needs are understood and provided for effectively”.

Acting head Richard Hunter said: “Elaine spent more than a decade as headteacher at Rotherfield, guiding the school through four ‘good’ ­Ofsted inspections. The inspectors clearly noticed her leadership skills and determination for each pupil to succeed to the best of their ability.” 

Ofsted concluded that Rotherfield has “a good platform for sustained further improvement.”