STAFF, pupils and families from Witton Middle School in Droitwich are celebrating after being graded as ‘ Good’ in all areas following a highly successful Ofsted inspection.
The two-day inspections was carried out earlier this term and examined in detail the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes of pupils, opportunities for personal development and leadership and management.
It comes just three years after Witton, which serves more than 400 children between the ages of nine and 12, was placed in special measures.
The school has since become a brokered academy, joining the Spire C of E Learning Trust. The latest report signals that the school has improved, not just by one but by two Ofsted categories – all in just three years.
The inspection team stated the school had ‘transformed the quality of education at the school’ and that pupils were ‘happy and enjoyed school’. They also recognised the school as having a ‘warm and welcoming school community in which pupils value opportunities to learn’.
The only two areas earmarked for improvement were for phonics to be taught more consistently at a high level and that, on some occasions, teachers needed to check accurately what pupils understood so they could better match som pupils’ learning activities to their needs.
Delighted headteacher Suzie Bourne said: “This is a superb result for the entire school community.
“We have worked tirelessly to completely overhaul the curriculum and raise expectations and standards throughout the school.”
She added the school had been fortunate to be part of a supportive trust, benefiting from excellent links with other high performing middle schools across Worcestershire.
“It is wonderful for the staff team, and our fabulous pupils, to receive the recognition they deserve.
“We have navigated some challenges along the way, but Witton has definitely seen a huge amount of positive change.”
She said the latest SATs results in the summer were the strongest ever achieved and epitomised the climate and approach to teaching and enabling children to succeed fully.
