Bracknell

Sandy Lane Primary School, Bracknell is a good school with many outstanding features say inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

The Ofsted inspection team visited the Bracknell Forest Borough Council school in October and their report gives it a grade two, good school rating.

The report says: Pupils talk about their school very positively. They enjoy it, knowing they are safe and well cared for.

Parents too give the school their wholehearted support; as one said, 'I am 100 per cent sure that I could not have chosen a more child and parent friendly school'.

Many parents also commented on the role played by the headteacher in moving the Bracknell school forward, describing her leadership as excellent.”

The inspectors' key findings in summary are:

• The rate of achievement has risen dramatically over the recent years;

• Lessons stimulate pupils' interest and teachers motivate pupils by setting challenging targets;

• Pupils with learning difficulties receive outstanding support and the school's excellent provision for pupils at an early stage of acquiring English has received national recognition;

• A rich and varied curriculum of good quality encompasses a wide range of subjects;

• Pupils' personal development is enhanced effectively inside and outside the classroom;

• Pupils behave very well, gain clear ideas about how to keep safe and stay healthy, and make an extremely valuable contribution to school life;

• The quality of care, guidance and support is outstanding. Pastoral care is very strong. This is seen in pupils' confidence and good relationships with the adults with whom they come into contact. It is also reflected in the way that pupils of all ages take care of one another and play together well;

• The quality of leadership and management is outstanding and is reflected in rising standards. The headteacher has a very clear vision of how the school should grow as a community in which all pupils achieve their potential both academically and personally.

As in all Ofsted reports the inspectors make recommendations for improvement which at Sandy Lane Primary School are further improving the measurement of pupil's progress and monitoring of targets.

Liz Norris, Bracknell Headteacher at Sandy Lane Primary School, said: "I am delighted that the Ofsted inspectors recognised that the school is a good school with some outstanding features.

"Sandy Lane is an exciting learning community and the children, staff, parents and Governors all played a special part in achiveving this excellent report.

”The recommendations for improvement are areas which we have already begun to work on including the need to increase the range of strategies pupils use when solving mental calculations, particularly in years three to six."

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children's Services and Libraries, said: "The inspectors have quite rightly commented on the school’s many outstanding strengths including the positive impact that the excellent teaching has on the children’s personal and academic achievement.

"The school is providing a good education and I am pleased the inspection team has recognised this."

Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Bracknell Education and Libraries, said: "I am pleased to see Sandy Lane Primary School get a grade two, good school rating.

This Ofsted report shows there is good quality teaching in the school and I congratulate Liz and her team for the wonderful job they are doing at Sandy Lane Primary School."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council