‘Outstanding’ Beacon praised by inspectors

An Exmouth primary, where pupils’ thinking skills are a real strength of the school, has been rated ‘outstanding’ by independent inspectors.

The Beacon Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, in Beacon Place, was judged outstanding by inspectors from the Diocese of Exeter. Earlier this year, the Beacon School was rated as a ‘good’ school by inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted.

After the latest inspection, Church of England inspectors praised the ‘distinctiveness’ of the school and its ability to meet the needs of all learners; leadership and management and the effectiveness of its religious education was ‘outstanding’, while collective worship on the school community was good.

Children with special educational needs were ‘carefully tracked’ and effective individual plans put in place to ‘enable them to develop their unique talents and blossom’.

Inspectors praised headteacher Sue Lockwood’s enthusiasm and dedication for ‘establishing an ethos in the school of high expectations where children feel successful’.

Mrs Lockwood said: “We all work hard to ensure our children achieve well and enjoy school. This is evident in our happy and articulate pupils who embrace the many opportunities available to them.”