Ofsted inspection delight for Freeman Community Primary School near Stowmarket

A school where there have been significant changes to leadership is celebrating after Ofsted rated it ‘good’ in all areas.

Freeman Community Primary School, in Stowupland, near Stowmarket, was inspected by the education watchdog on September 24 and 25.

Inspectors said adults show patience and kindness, almost all pupils behave and achieve well, and the way pupils treat staff, visitors and one another with respect ‘is something very special’.

The school, which is part of the Children’s Endeavour Trust, was previously rated ‘requires improvement’ overall by Ofsted in November 2019, which is before it became an academy.

The inspection body no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

In the latest inspection, Ofsted rated the school good in all areas: quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management; and early years provision.

The school’s new headteacher Emma Gerry said: “We are delighted with the outcome of our most recent Ofsted inspection which is a result of the dedication and commitment from the whole team at Freeman; it was a positive experience and the inspectors saw a true reflection of the school.

“I am proud to be a part of such a caring school community which is evident in both the staff and the children.”

Mrs Gerry was acting head for half a term before taking up the permanent position of headteacher in September, having been at the school previously as deputy headteacher for a number of years.

She said her areas of focus since taking on the headship included SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities), and there will be further focus on assessment – areas also highlighted by Ofsted for improvement.

The Ofsted report said pupils genuinely enjoy attending the school ‘because they feel safe and cared for by adults’.

Pupils with SEND are generally supported well and early identification of needs is effective.

However, the needs of all pupils with SEND are not yet met closely enough, but provision for these pupils is improving rapidly ‘as a result of visible and focused leadership’.

The report also said very recent changes to leadership of the school mean that expectations of pupils are now higher, and pupils are adjusting to this.

As well as a new headteacher, the deputy headteacher and special educational needs coordinator have also been in post since September.

The report said: “There have been recent and significant changes to leadership of the school at senior levels.

“While the impact of this change has yet to be felt consistently, in areas such as SEND, leaders are tenacious in their approach to ensure rapid improvement.

“Parents speak positively about the recent changes to the school. Leaders are well supported by the trust and the local governing board.”

To improve further, inspectors said the school should ‘redouble its efforts’ to ensure the needs of all pupils with SEND are met sufficiently well.

Ofsted also highlighted that the school should ensure that the assessment of pupils’ work across the school is rigorous and consistent.

Freeman has 203 pupils on the school roll.

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