Welcoming the report Julie Hopkins, Executive Headteacher said, ‘I am so proud of each and every one of our children and staff; they were able to let their light shine throughout the inspection, just as they do each day. I’d like to thank staff for their dedication and commitment to teaching and learning and to the Rise family who have worked with us to enable all to flourish and succeed. Special thanks to Head of School, Miss Geeson, who works diligently and passionately each day to ensure Waltham School is the best it can be.

Mark Cole, CEO of Rise Multi Academy Trust added, ‘We are delighted that the hard work of staff at Waltham has been recognised. As a family of schools, we work tirelessly to support each school in its improvement journey. This will be the fourth Ofsted inspection that recognises the positive impact of the Trust’s work on curriculum and teacher workload.’

Report highlights included:  

• Leaders, including those from the trust, have been rigorous in developing the school’s curriculum. They are relentless in their focus to ensure that all pupils recall more knowledge over time.

• Pupils with SEND learn the same curriculum as their peers. They do well because leaders quickly identify pupils’ barriers and put in the right support. The special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) has, through regular ‘MOT’ discussions, helped staff to understand how to break down the curriculum into smaller steps. This has had a positive impact.

• Pupils know of the importance of positive mental health. They recognise that they might find things hard, but that they should ‘keep trying and not let things get you down’. Pupils who need additional help to regulate emotions do well because they are given effective support.

• Pupils are respectful and tolerant of everyone in the school community and beyond. This prepares them well for life in modern society. They learn to listen to different viewpoints and to debate different ideas in considered ways.

• Most parents and carers speak highly of the school. Families of children who attend the pre-school particularly appreciate how relationships are nurtured. As one parent commented, typical of many, ‘Every child is valued at this school.’

To read the Ofsted report in full please visit: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/140913