A Spondon primary school has been praised by Ofsted for its commitment to children, regardless of barriers or their starting points.
Asterdale Primary School was judged “strong” in the “inclusion” category under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, with inspectors concluding that “pupils who find learning the hardest benefit from high-quality, inclusive teaching”.
The report added: “Across all groups, leaders monitor pupils’ progress rigorously and assess the impact of interventions and support strategies. This considered, proactive approach ensures that pupils who face barriers to their learning are well supported and able to succeed.”
The school also achieved “strong” ratings for attendance and behaviour, early years, and leadership and governance. Achievement, curriculum and teaching, and personal development and wellbeing were all rated at the “expected standard”.
Inspectors said the school’s positive culture encourages pupils to attend regularly, helping to keep persistent absence low among all groups, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
In early years provision, Ofsted highlighted the school’s strong relationships with parents and carers. The report stated: “Partnerships with parents and carers are prioritised. Staff work quickly to get to know every child well. They swiftly and accurately identify children who face barriers to their learning and wellbeing. They ensure that children get the support they need.”
Head teacher John O’Leary, who took up the role since the school’s previous inspection, said the inspection outcome reflected the school’s focus on its core values and shared vision.
“It’s extremely rewarding to see the ‘everyday excellence’ vision that we have implemented across our school working for every child. We pride ourselves that every child is championed to be able to demonstrate being their best selves – with any barriers to their learning being addressed early so that all can achieve highly. At Asterdale, we focus on getting it right from the start, so that every child has the best learning journey possible – our vision of excellence for all promotes this across all of school life”.
He added that the school’s values of Aspiration, Self-belief, Teamwork, Empathy, Resilience and Safety – known as the “Asters” values – underpin its mission to help pupils thrive.
“Through promoting our ‘Asters’ values as part of everyday school life, pupils are supported to grow the skills and character attributes to thrive both in school and in preparation for life in modern-day Britain,” he said.
The inspection was carried out under Ofsted’s new framework, which replaces the previous overall effectiveness grade with a five-point scale: exceptional, strong, secure, attention needed and causing concern. Schools are now assessed across separate evaluation areas, including safeguarding, inclusion, curriculum and teaching, achievement, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, early years, and leadership and governance.
Ofsted also praised the school’s leadership team for its focus on supporting disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs. Inspectors said: “Leaders are driven to ensure that all pupils succeed. They carefully monitor the provision for disadvantaged pupils, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language. They carefully monitor these pupils’ progress to ensure that any gaps in learning are identified and acted upon.”
Asterdale Primary School is part of Odyssey Collaborative Trust, a group of seven local schools focused on raising aspirations through a creative curriculum.
Ian Dewes said: “As a trust, we pride ourselves on ensuring all our children thrive.”
“We are extremely pleased that the hard work of everyone at Asterdale Primary School has been recognised in this inspection and that the Asters values shine through so strongly.
“When the trust was formed there were exactly 2,001 children across our schools. Every child was counted, and that belief continues to guide our work today – every child matters.”
