A South Cumbrian school has been visited and rated by education inspectors.
Ofsted visited Dallam School in Milnthorpe on April 28.
It found while safeguarding, leadership, well-being, post-16 provision and attendance and behaviour met the expected standards, not all pupils achieved as well as they should and there were inconsistencies in how the school’s curriculum was delivered.
The report said: “The achievement of disadvantaged pupils and looked-after children is in line with similar groups nationally, but some pupils are capable of
achieving better in national tests and examinations.
“This has been the case for some time in certain areas of the curriculum. Leaders have appropriate plans to address this.
“Although the impact of the school’s reading programme is evident, there are gaps in some pupils’ accuracy in spelling and writing fluency. This contributes to an inconsistency in the quality of work that pupils produce.
“Leaders have taken steps to ensure pupils are better prepared for their next steps in education, employment or training. The proportion of pupils remaining in sustained education continues to rise. An increasing number of pupils progress onto ambitious courses.
“Leaders are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum. They monitor the impact of their actions closely.”
Inspectors said Dallam School’s leadership was united, reflective and well-supported, with leaders and trustees working collaboratively to drive improvement, support staff and work with external partners.
Pupils are described as safe, happy and part of a calm, purposeful atmosphere where positive relationships with staff matter and bullying is dealt with quickly.
Inspectors said that pupils felt that they belonged at the school because adults listened to them and leaders have established high expectations for behaviour by introducing consistent routines.
The report added that pupils benefited from extensive extracurricular opportunities, careers guidance and wellbeing support.
Inspectors praised inclusion and pupil support. Leaders were acknowledged for identifying additional needs early, supporting vulnerable pupils effectively and making thoughtful use of pupil premium funding and alternative provision.
The report recommended the following next steps for the school:
- Leaders should improve the quality of teaching across the school by using assessment information effectively.
- Leaders should closely monitor the achievement of pupils through the school so that pupils achieve the best outcomes.
- Leaders should take appropriate action to ensure pupils secure their foundational knowledge in writing and mathematics.
Headteacher Steven Henneberry said: “Meeting the expected standard is not a ‘basic pass’; it represents a high, secure level of quality and means pupils are getting what they need and deserve.
“We know there is more to do and we are working at pace to make further improvements.
“The report reflects our commitment to ensuring every young person feels they belong, is supported to learn successfully and is able to thrive.”
