St Philip’s C of E Primary School at Odd Down in Bath impressed a team of Ofsted inspectors who visited last month.
St Philip’s C of E Primary School in Odd Down | Image © Google Street View / Google 2024
The school at Bloomfield Rise was judged to be Good in all areas inspected – for its quality of education, leadership and management, early years provision, children’s behaviour and attitudes, and their personal development.
From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.
The school had last been inspected in 2019 when it was judged to be Good.
There are currently 276 children on the roll at the school, which has been part of Palladian Academy Trust since 2016. It is an Anglican school within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
The inspection report published last week says pupils enjoy attending this “happy and welcoming school”.
It continues: “Pupils feel safe at school. They are confident that adults will help them with their learning or address any concerns they may have.
“The school is ambitious for all pupils. From the start, children in Reception Year learn to follow classroom routines, and this helps them to listen and respond to adults. Most pupils achieve well. They engage with their learning and are enthusiastic to answer questions and contribute their ideas.”
Pupils are said to be “polite and considerate” and have opportunities to contribute their ideas to the school.
This includes the school council’s work in redeveloping the collective worship programme. The eco team is proud of the work it does to raise awareness of environmental issues by, for example, holding a ‘no electricity day’.
The report says: “These experiences help pupils to develop their character and a sense of responsibility,”
Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are said to be well-supported in lessons.
The inspectors also say the curriculum is well organised although in some subjects, the school hasn’t identified the essential knowledge that each year group should know. This lack of clarity means teachers do not check that pupils have secured this knowledge.
The school’s personal, social and health education curriculum is praised for helping pupils learn how to be healthy and responsible citizens.
Arrangements for safeguarding at the school are effective.
The report adds that trustees and governors have an accurate understanding of the school.
Staff value the work that has been done to reduce their workload and parents and carers value the positive relationship they have with the school.
All agree that their children are happy, safe and achieve well.
