Vision, Impact and Clarity
Salway Ash CE School is highly commended by a distinguished visitor.
Already among the top 1% of primary schools for achievement in reading, the small Dorset school has achieved ‘Outstanding’ status across the board.
SIAMS* Inspector Marcia Headon notes that, “Very strong Christian values underpin all aspects of school life and have a significant impact on the pupils’ academic and personal development.
“Extensive partnerships with the local church and wider community enhance the learning of all within the school.
“The clarity of vision exercised by the headteacher and governors means that the school’s Christian distinctiveness is constantly reviewed and enhanced.”
Future plans include comparing notes with other schools, as well as developing multi-cultural and national church aspects of Religious Education.
Rob Pepper, Chair of Governors, says, “This is a wonderful achievement and one that we should all be very proud of. I’d like to thank the teachers and support staff for all the work that they have done in order for us to achieve this result, and the pupils who were all exemplary on the day showing how polite, kind and engaged they are.
“Marcia Headon, who before her retirement was the Regional Director of OFSTED, couldn’t have been more complimentary about our school.
“Although inspections are a lot of work and having them looming is always an extra pressure on the school, they are there to ensure standards are maintained and in our case exceeded. So to receive this result is great external recognition.
“Well done everybody!”
Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided School is a much smaller than average primary school, serving a rural catchment area around Salway Ash. There are 120 pupils on roll aged 4-11. The vast majority of children are of White British heritage.
The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged is below the national average but the proportion with special educational needs/ disabilities is well above the national average.
In 2015 the school had a major building programme. In 2017, it was commended by the Minister of State for Schools for being among the top 1% of primary schools for achievement in reading. In the same year, it achieved Eco School status. It is heavily over-subscribed.
*Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools
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