Amesbury Archer Primary moves from 'requires improvement' to 'good' after seven years

Amesbury Archer Primary, which caters for almost 400 children, was told it required improvement in February 2014, with the same outcome in 2016 and 2018.

Now after a great deal of hard work from the headteacher and staff the school on Archers Gate has shaken off that label and is officially a good school.

Head Helen Donnelly, about to complete her third year at the school, found herself facing an Ofsted inspection only five days after she joined Amesbury Archer:

"I won't forget the disappointment on staff's faces when the school received a third consecutive requires improvement judgement; it made me absolutely determined to make this wonderful school good again. The fact that this has now happened is a testimony to the work of our staff, our parents and of course, our fantastic children".

PRAISE

The report praises the school for its high quality leadership, the fact that the school has high expectations of children and that children are happy at school.

"Learning to read is at the heart of the school's work" through "high expectations that children will be confident and fluent readers".

Curriculum design is also praised, the report says that "pupils do well in writing" and learning in Maths is also good. Parents commented on the "high levels of support for pupils' social and emotional well-being" over the last year and children "feel safe and well cared for".

AREAS TO WORK ON

The report did note improvement was needed in other subjects such as computing and history where "many pupils can't confidently remember what they have learned."

Subject leaders do not routinely check how well pupils are doing however plans are in place to address this.

SCHOOL DOG

One special member of the school community singled out for her contribution to Amesbury Archer is Callie, the school dog, whose influence on the well-being of children and staff alike over the past three years has been significant.

PROUD

In her letter to parents, Headteacher Helen Donnelly praised the children for their marvellous work on the inspection days and says_'she could not be more proud'_of this achievement.

The school is part of the Magna Learning Partnership and CEO Sarah Busby commented:

"When Amesbury Archer joined our Trust last October we were clear that under Helen's inspirational and dedicated leadership, this school was without doubt on a journey to good. We are delighted that the reward has come and for the school and the local community, it is richly deserved."

• amesbury archer primary school
• Ofsted
• school dog
• amesbury