“Strong moral purpose and high ambition”: Our school received Ofsted praise

Children and staff at our school are starting the new academic year with a smile, following a recent Ofsted inspection which celebrated our school’s achievements.

Inspectors visited Pytchley at the end of June as part of a graded inspection which examined every aspect of life - from lesson observations and interviews with staff and pupils, to questionnaires from parents and Trust leaders. 

The impressive report judged our school to be ‘Good’ in every category, praising the ‘strong moral purpose and high ambition for every pupil’ that drives our success. 

While Ofsted is not the only measure of success, we are delighted to see the hard work and dedication of our staff, pupils and community recognised. 

While Ofsted is far from the only measure of success for a school, we are delighted to have the hard work and tireless efforts of our team recognised through this inspection. 

At Pytchley, we are committed to providing the best possible education and experience for our children. We want every child here to leave us having laid down a strong foundation for future learning and personal growth and I am so proud of our staff and our pupils for their dedication to making this happen.

Inspectors described Pytchley as a “happy school where pupils thrive in an environment built on strong relationships”. Pupils were praised for their excellent behaviour and the way they “uphold the school’s values and treat others with respect”.

The report also highlighted how pupils are “well-prepared for the next stage in their education” through a strong curriculum and wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities that are “well planned and accessible to all”.

Other highlights from the report included:

• Children in the Reception Year benefit from expert teaching and a well-designed curriculum. They experience many positive learning activities that focus closely on practising their communication skills.
• High expectations for behaviour and learning are clear. Pupils develop their independence and resilience and grow into confident, respectful, and well-rounded individuals.
• All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are supported to succeed.
• Pupils enjoy trips, residentials and clubs, including sports and others such as chess. These experiences help them to discover new interests and strengths.
• Behaviour across school is calm and respectful. Clear routines mean that pupils know what is expected of them and support a smooth start to lessons.

In addition, inspectors highlighted how our school’s work to improve attendance through “positive and effective pastoral support” is making a real difference in overcoming barriers to frequent attendance.

Leadership was also praised for working closely with governors and the trust, who “provide appropriate support and challenge” and for supporting staff in workload and well-being, creating a “positive and motivated team”.