A TURNAROUND in standards at Court Fields School, Wellington, has been praised by Government education inspectors.

The 755-pupil school was visited in March by Ofsted inspectors for the third time since the start of the Covid pandemic.

They had previously branded the school as requiring improvement in 2016 and 2019, and last visited in 2021, but now, two years later, rated Court Fields as ‘good’ in every category.

Lead inspector Kelly Olive said Court Fields was ‘a happy and welcoming school’ with leaders who were committed to the school’s values for all pupils to ‘achieve, belong, and participate’.

Ms Olive said pupils were positive about improvements to the school and felt proud to attend, and a majority of parents agreed and said their children were flourishing.

She said: “Leaders are ambitious for pupils. They have created a culture where hard work is expected. As a result, most pupils show positive attitudes to their learning.”

The Ofsted inspectors carried out ‘deep dives’ into the teaching of English, science, geography, modern foreign languages, and art, and took into account feedback from parents, carers, staff, and pupils.

Ms Olive said: “Local governors and trustees are ambitious for pupils.

“Since the previous inspection, they have worked closely with leaders to raise standards across the school.

“They are not complacent, and support and challenge leaders to secure continued improvement.”

Court Fields headteacher Polly Matthews said: “Four years ago I made a commitment to staff, students, parents, and our wider community that our team would work to make significant improvements in order to provide a good school that was at the centre of the community.

“I am so pleased that Ofsted have recognised the commitment and relentless hard work of our team in both the ‘good’ judgement and the report.

“We are focussed on keeping up the momentum and continuing to develop our school.

“I would like to acknowledge the support of our parents, families, governors, trust staff, and wider community whose commitment, alongside our school team, has helped to change the culture and reputation of the school.”

Castle Partnership Trust chief executive Sarah Watson said: “We are absolutely delighted that the excellent work of Polly Matthews and her team at Court Fields has been recognised by Ofsted. 

“Parents, pupils, governors, and the community have all played an essential part in the success of the school.

“Teachers’ hard work is identified as particularly strong with Ofsted highlighting that teachers have ‘thoughtfully planned the specific knowledge pupils need to learn’ and that learning has been organised so that pupils ‘build their knowledge successfully over time’.

“We are really lucky to have such a great staff, so committed to our pupils, their families, and the Wellington community.”

The Castle Partnership isn currently in the process of merging with Uffculme Academy Trust, in Devon, and Mrs Watson said Court Fields would bring strength and good practice and was contributing to leadership across the new trust.