Have PMed you with more detail of our experience.

The last OFSTED report came as a real surprise to parents at the school. The inspection framework changed and while it appeared that many schools were downgraded, they were actually being tested on different criteria from previous inspections, and the criteria are much tougher. I personally feel the school is much better than the last OFSTED suggested.

No school is perfect, but we have been very happy with it. It's not too big - they take in a class and a half worth of kids in each year group, so there are classes with mixed year groups as well as classes with separate year groups (so, for example, my son last year was in year 5 and was in a class with the older year 5s and younger year 6s and this year he is in the next class up, which is all year 6). It seems a bit complicated until you get your head around it, but it actually works really well, and it means no individual class is too big. On average, my son's classes have had between 18 and 22 children in them. This system also means the Head has flexibility about getting new kids in, if need be, as he can usually fit them in without breaching the rules on class size. He is very approachable and will be happy to talk to you.

The atmosphere in the school is really good - the kids are happy, well-behaved and respectful and seem to enjoy going to school. Teaching (as anywhere) varies but I can tell you that there are several teachers who are exceptionally good.

This post was last modified: 28-03-2012 01:30 PM by rshdunlop.