In a recent Ofsted inspection, Coxley Primary School was rated as 'Requires Improvement.'

The inspection, which took place on 11 and 12 July 2023 - just two days before the end of term - highlighted several areas for growth but heaped praise on other areas of the school.

The new rating contrasts with the school's previous grade of 'Good.'

The report said that the relationships between adults and pupils are "warm and caring." It also praised the school's values of respect and resilience, which the pupils understood and embodied.

One of the key strengths identified was the school's early years provision, described as "a strength of the school."

Reading is a priority, and children in early years begin learning to read as soon as they start school. Staff ensure that books match pupils' sounds, enabling them to learn to read with accuracy.

The school was also commended for its after-school clubs and broader educational experiences. The school seeks to broaden pupils ' horizons, from astronomy and rounders to street dance and didgeridoo clubs.

However, the report noted concerns about an 'underdeveloped' curriculum, especially in the wider subject areas. "Leaders have not identified the essential knowledge that pupils need to learn. As a result, pupils do not learn as well as they should," the report stated.

Similarly, the Ofsted inspection indicated that the school's leadership needed improvement. It pointed out that the governors did not have an accurate view of how well pupils were learning in subjects across the wider curriculum, limiting their ability to hold leaders accountable for improvements.

In terms of safeguarding, the school was found to have effective systems in place, ensuring the safety and well-being of its pupils.

Mrs Hayley Hamblin, the headteacher of Coxley Primary School, responded to the Ofsted report with a detailed letter to parents and carers.

She acknowledged that the timing of the inspection was "far from ideal," but expressed pride in the resilience shown by children and staff.

Mrs Hamblin noted that the school had made considerable progress since its last inspection in May 2022, when it was rated 'Good.' She felt that the short time frame between the two inspections did not allow for embedding improvements, particularly in curriculum development.

"I could not be any prouder to be Headteacher at Coxley Primary School," she said in the letter to parents and carers.

"Our offer of education and school life experience is something very special. We will not let an inspection at an inappropriate time affect how we continue to work in partnership between home and school to move forwards together. I hope that as you read and reflect on the circumstances shared that we can carry on learning and working together in a way proven to be successful.

"We will ensure children remain at the heart of all we do; leading full and happy lives throughout this time and beyond. We must continue to support each other, and stay faithful to our vision and with the strong belief we all have in our children and our school," she stated.

You can find the full report here.