I am absolutely delighted to share the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection.
This year, Ofsted introduced a new report card system. Instead of giving schools one overall judgement such as “Outstanding” or “Good”, inspectors now evaluate several specific areas (Inclusion, Achievement, Attendance & Behaviour, Curriculum & Teaching, Early Years, Leadership & Governance) using five possible outcomes (Exceptional, Strong Standard, Expected Standard, Needs Attention, Urgent Improvement).
The most significant outcome for us is that Inclusion was judged to be Strong Standard.
This means Ofsted recognised that our work to ensure every child feels valued, supported and able to succeed is above the standard expected nationally. All other areas were judged to meet the Expected Standard, confirming that the school is providing a secure and effective education across all aspects of its work.
While the new outcomes can’t be compared to the previous framework, Inspectors described the Strong standard as being similar to the old ‘Outstanding’ judgement and the Expected standard as being a high standard similar to the old ‘Good’ judgement.
Our report paints a wonderfully positive picture of our school and captures exactly what makes Overchurch Infant School such a special place to learn and grow.
Our Inclusive Ethos
As a school, we have always believed that every child matters and deserves to feel known, understood and celebrated. The report reflects this beautifully: “Staff work tirelessly to help each pupil to achieve their best”, “They know pupils extremely well as individuals and use this knowledge to remove barriers to learning and wellbeing” and “Leaders go above and beyond to provide disadvantaged pupils with experiences they may not otherwise have.”
These words mean a great deal to us because they recognise the commitment our staff show every single day.
Our Wonderful Children
The report also captures what we see in our pupils each day. Ofsted described Overchurch as: “A happy, friendly place.” They noted that our children: “Treat one another with kindness and respect”, “Arrive each day eager to learn” and “Grow into confident learners who care about each other and the school environment.”
These comments reflect the values we work so hard to nurture. Our children make us proud every day through their enthusiasm, kindness and resilience.
Our Dedicated Staff Team
This outcome is a tribute to an exceptional team of staff. Inspectors recognised the care, expertise and commitment of everyone who works at Overchurch. They highlighted that: “The staff team are cohesive and work together well to provide a consistent approach to teaching and wellbeing for pupils”, “Staff respond promptly and thoughtfully to pupils’ needs” and “Staff nurture children’s emotional development through warm and caring relationships.”
I am incredibly proud of every member of staff for the compassion, professionalism and dedication they bring to our school community.
Our Strong Partnership with Families
The report also acknowledges the importance of our partnership with parents and carers: “Parents and carers speak very positively about this aspect of the school’s work”, “They wholeheartedly appreciate leaders’ actions to support them through times of need and how they keep pupils at the centre of their work.”
Thank you for the trust you place in us and for the support you give to your children and to the school.
Our Future
Like all strong schools, we will continue to reflect and improve our practice. The report identifies two next steps:
- Ensuring pupils’ writing across the curriculum is consistently of the highest quality.
- Refining monitoring processes (in lessons) so that leaders gain even sharper information to drive further improvement.
These are areas we had already identified in our own school development planning, and we are excited to continue this work.
This report is a celebration of our whole school community. It recognises the kindness and enthusiasm of our pupils, the dedication of our staff, the support of our governors and the partnership we share with you, our families.
Most importantly, it confirms what we know to be true: Overchurch Infant School is a warm, nurturing and highly inclusive school where children are happy, safe and able to flourish.
On a personal note, reading this report filled me with pride. Every day, I have the privilege of watching the children walk into school with smiles on their faces, seeing staff go above and beyond to support every child and family, and witnessing the genuine care that sits at the heart of everything we do.
Overchurch Infant School is much more than a school building; it is a community built on kindness, inclusion and a shared belief that every child deserves the very best start in life.
I am deeply grateful to our talented and compassionate staff team, to our governors for their unwavering support, and to you, our families, for the trust you place in us.
