Worthing Primary School Celebrates Ofsted Success

Downsbrook Primary School has been awarded a Good rating following a two day inspection by OFSTED last month.

The school was praised for the improvements made since it became an academy, with good judgements in all areas.

The school, part of Schoolsworks Academy Trust, had been rated as inadequate by OFSTED before its academy conversion. The inspection had been delayed due to the suspension of inspections during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The OFSTED report shared some key successes for the school noting that:

●        Parents, pupils and staff wholeheartedly agree that the school is well led and has improved immensely over the past four years.

●        The Headteacher has galvanised senior leaders and staff into making much needed improvements.

●        Pupils are happy to be part of Downsbrook. They are enthusiastic about their lessons and feel well cared for.

●        Pupils behave very well in lessons and around school…respectfully towards each other and there are strong relationships between pupils and staff. The school is a calm and orderly place.

●        The Trust and Trustees were credited as having "provided high quality support for leaders and staff".

OFSTED also remarked on a number of improvements across the school, including the importance that leaders place on reading as well as pupils developing a "deep knowledge of the rights and views of others". They also praised teachers who choose books, "so that pupils deepen their understanding of equality and diversity". It was noted that Downsbrook pupils have many opportunities to develop personally.

Chris Seaton, CEO of Schoolsworks, commented, "We are so proud of Mrs Jeffrey and the whole team at Downsbrook for achieving a good judgement from OFSTED at the first inspection after the school joined our Trust. I would like to thank her and all the staff for their incredible efforts in turning the school around. Naturally, this is a significant achievement for Schoolsworks, as it is the first sponsor project we have taken on. Many of my colleagues have worked with the school effectively to secure this rapid improvement and it's great that we can show how a strong school trust can benefit schools so effectively."

Just Jeffrey, Head of School at Downsbrook added: "Compared to when the Trust first took on leadership, Downsbrook has changed dramatically. I'm delighted that this report validates the incredible efforts and achievement of the school in all areas. The past four years have been a wonderful journey and we have come through the most challenging of circumstances - balancing the task of school improvement whilst continuing to lead and serve our community through a pandemic. We are now determined to keep moving the school forward to give our children the very best opportunities in all areas. Downsbrook has the most wonderful community of pupils, staff and parents and I would like to thank them all for the parts that they have played in this fantastic and well deserved achievement."

The full report can be found at www.downsbrook.org/Ofsted-2022/