Hove school gets the perfect report

From the The Argus, first published Tuesday 31st Oct 2006.

Hundreds of delighted children gathered in their school playground to celebrate receiving a near perfect inspection report.

St Andrew's CE Primary in Belfast Street, Hove, was given the best possible score in 25 of 27 categories when Ofsted officials visited in September and was described as an "outstanding"

school.

In his report Ofsted inspector David Collard said: "The quality of education at this highly effective school is outstanding.

Pupils talk enthusiastically about helping one another and the vibrant atmosphere demonstrates how much pupils enjoy school."

Mr Collard gave St Andrew's a top ranking in each of the four inspection categories: Achievement and standards, personal development and well-being, quality of provision and leadership and management.

He said the 428-pupil school had continued to improve since its last inspection in 2002, when it was also rated outstanding.

Acting headteacher Dave White said he was delighted by the report.

He said: "It has been a massive team effort from the whole school community, including teachers, governors, support staff, parents and, of course, our marvellous children."

Mr White was especially pleased the report highlighted the way the school performed well at English, maths and science without detracting from other subjects.

An Ofsted spokeswoman said only ten per cent of schools nationwide achieved an overall Outstanding rating when they were inspected using the new-style report, introduced in September 2005.

David Hawker, Brighton and Hove City Council's director of children's services, said: "This is one of the best reports the authority has ever received.

To achieve the category of outstanding in all four areas is a truly remarkable achievement."

The only two minor areas where St Andrew's did not receive the top score were school attendance and the extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles, both of which scored two, the second highest rank.

Mr White said the school was already working hard to improve both areas but stressed they were far from being problems.

St Andrew's moved from its previous site in Monmouth Street to Belfast Street in 2003 when the nearby Tesco was built.

Its permanent headteacher Cathy Moore is taking part in a year-long placement with the city council as an adviser on primary schools.

Her deputy, Mr White, has taken over the headteacher role in her absence.

He said: "This report is a great tribute to Cathy."

The report said there were a number of significant reasons why the school had done so well. It said the integration of pupils into the life and work of the school was key among them.

"Pupils with learning difficulties or who do not speak English as a first language were challenged to the best of their abilities. Mr White said the school had pursued a number of initiatives over recent years to maintain a positive and vibrant atmosphere.

St Andrew's was the first eco school in Brighton, pursuing an environmentally friendly education and has been involved in a number of charitable efforts. It has supported Christian Aid, Romanian children's charities and has bought goats, sheep, water holes, tents and mosquito nets for developing countries.

When the school moved site, all of the leftover equipment from the old building was sent to a Rwandan school.

The Ofsted report said the school had an excellent and professional approach to teaching and that pupils achieved excellently across a broad range of subjects.

It said the children were well prepared for their future lives and the school leadership team of headteachers, governors and managers was outstanding. The inspector said parental satisfaction was very high and the care, support and guidance for pupils was excellent.

Jeremy Bushell, a ten-year-old pupil from Derek Avenue, Hove, said: "I'm really proud the school has done so well. It's a really good school and I love it here. The teachers are good and I like the playground and all the different clubs. There are lots of opportunities."

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