A Fairfax School Ofsted Report says the school’s ‘proud’ pupils live up to the motto of ‘dignity in hard work’, after awarding it ‘Good’ status.
A team from Oftsed visited the Fairfax Road school, on March 19, for its first official inspection since January 2016.
And their findings, revealed to parents and staff this week, praised pupils for their behaviour and work ethic in the Fairfax School Ofsted Report.
“They have good attitudes to their work and are well behaved,” wrote inspector David Buckle.
“There is a real commitment from pupils to the school’s motto ‘sinceritas laboris’ (dignity in hard work) and this was seen in lessons and in pupil’s books.
“The progress made by groups of pupils is carefully checked in all year groups and there are targeted interventions for groups that are underperforming.”
Leadership at the school was also praised in the report, which described Fairfax as: “An inclusive school, where there are high expectations of what all pupils can achieve and where every individual pupil receives strong levels of support, guidance and care.”
Fairfax School Ofsted Report
The inspection team met with the school’s leaders and teachers, as well as trustees and pupils before drawing up the report. They observed lessons and looked at pupils’ work, as well considering more than 200 responses to two questionnaires for parents and staff.
Fairfax was also praised for the way it helps pupils with special educational needs or disabilities to integrate fully into the school.
“From students to teachers and from academy staff to trustees, the pride that everyone has in our school was clearly evident to the inspectors, but we are always striving to get better. I’d also like to thank parents for showing such strong support for the school,”
– Head of Academy Deborah Bunn
“The school’s commitment to sustaining a broad, inclusive curriculum, ensuring that all pupils understand your core values, enhances the nature of the school,” Mr Buckle wrote.
Areas singled out for improvement included modern foreign languages, where inspectors identified underperformance.
“Changes have been made and new practices have been introduced, but it is too early to see their full impact,” the report added.
Mr Buckle praised “well trained” staff for working closely together to ensure children were kept safe.
“There is a strong culture of safeguarding within the school because of the effective systems that are in place,” he wrote.
Headteachers’ thanks
Head of Academy Deborah Bunn said: “We are very pleased with the inspectors’ findings and I would like to thank the staff and pupils for all their hard work.
“From students to teachers and from academy staff to trustees, the pride that everyone has in our school was clearly evident to the inspectors, but we are always striving to get better. I’d also like to thank parents for showing such strong support for the school.
“In the few areas where the report suggested there may be room for improvement, we have already made changes which are showing results.”
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