Creative learning at Little Common "outstanding" - Ofsted

Headteacher David Pratt says he is delighted by Ofsted's judgement following the team's visit on Tuesday, October 14. "Outstanding" is Ofsted's top grade.

The inspector was particularly impressed with the quality of the learning environment and the school's commitment to an approach centred on the skills of problem-solving, communication, working with others and improving performance.

The pupils delighted the inspector with their enthusiasm, fluency and confidence in how they spoke of their 'Learning Journey' experiences throughout the school.

The quality of the curriculum in the school was praised because it is structured to enable pupils to grasp the essential features of each subject, as well as to make connections between them.

Mr Pratt said: "I am delighted at the inspector's findings and consider this to be praise for all of the Bexhill Primary Schools because we are working creatively in the same way.

"It also shows that there is much more to school life than tests and test results, which have been given far to much prominence by Government in recent years.

"I hope that the message will go out that creativity and high standards go together and the demands that encourage schools to teach to tests should now end. This inspection showed what education can be at it's best."

In the team's report, Ofsted inspector Patricia Metham said: "The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting..."

She has told Mr Pratt: "The decision taken in 2006 to make 'learning journeys' the defining feature of your pupils' school experience has had a perceptible and positive impact on standards and achievement and on pupils' personal development.

"Standards on entry are broadly in line with national averages but the overall attainment of pupils by the end of Year 6 is better than the national average, supporting the school's confidence in the benefits of the 'learning journey' approach.

"The focus on key skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork ensures continuity across subjects and from one year to the next. Staff and pupils agree that the move away from knowledge-based assessment to the assessment of developing skill levels has given greater clarity to the tracking of individuals' progression as learners.

"There is, nonetheless, a shared appreciation that you cannot be a creative and skilled learner without knowledge and understanding to work with.

"Classroom displays, competitions, tests and rewards complement curriculum coverage in lessons. They encourage pupils to be enterprising and accurate in their use of vocabulary and in their application of mathematical and scientific principles to topics as diverse as 'wheels' and 'hats'.

"The high standard of pupils' work on display and the confidence with which pupils explain what they know as well as what they can do indicate that this approach works well."

Commenting on the quality of teaching and learning, the inspector says: "There is a school-wide commitment to learning based on enquiry and experience so that pupils become adept at selecting relevant material, adapting or developing it in collaboration with others, and presenting their conclusions to the class for evaluation.

"The mutual respect and liking with which staff and pupils treat each other take the fear out of making mistakes. If something does not turn out as expected, the reasons why are discussed and the experience is seen as valuable."