PUPILS, staff and governors at Withycombe Raleigh Church of England Primary are celebrating after two outstanding reports from two independent inspectors.

PUPILS, staff and governors at Withycombe Raleigh Church of England Primary are celebrating after two outstanding reports from two independent inspectors.

The school has been rated outstanding by Ofsted while the Diocese of Exeter has also praised them for meeting the needs of all their pupils and for ‘outstanding’ leadership.

Diocese inspector Jackie Rudman Inspector visited the school for a day last month and her report has just been published.

She praised head teacher Stephen Powley, his assistant heads, management team and the governors;

“The Christian principles of love and care for each individual are clearly seen in every aspect of school life and permeate all relationships.

“Children and staff are empowered to achieve at the highest levels. Parents recognise and appreciate the individual care that all staff gives to all children.”

Four Ofsted inspectors spent two days at the school last term and Lead inspector David Edwards concluded: “Withycombe Raleigh is an outstanding school.

“The school learning environment is stunning and constantly being improved.”

“Pupils are highly motivated and engage enthusiastically in lessons, demonstrating a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them. Pupils’ attainment is now significantly above average and overall achievement throughout the school is outstanding.”

They say Mr Powley, who took over at Easter, has drawn together a cohesive team of enthusiastic and highly aspirational professionals who are demonstrating the ability to provide an outstanding learning experience for all pupils, particularly in the past year and during a period of significant changes to leadership within the school.

Mr Powley said the reports reflected the hard work, commitment and enthusiasm of all the staff, governors and pupils. “Our wonderful parents contribute high levels of support and encouragement towards making us such a successful school,” he said.

“The future vision for our school sees our continued development as a ‘learning centre’ for both our local and extended community and for the expansion of our ‘inclusive’ and ‘enriched’ curriculum.

“I am very proud to be head teacher of such a caring and successful school and look forward to leading the school forward with continued high levels of achievement and enjoyment of learning for all.”