Celebrations were in order at St John the Evangelist CE School in Carterton as it was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Inspectors praised the strong leadership of the school. “Leaders, staff and governors want the best for all pupils. Leaders are unyielding in their pursuit of excellence in all areas. All pupils leave fully prepared for their future learning.”
Earlier this year the parents of two children at Burford Primary School sought a Judicial Review of the arrangements for children withdrawn from weekly collective worship. The claimants, who were backed by Humanists UK, have now withdrawn their application for Judicial Review. Read more
Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST), which comprises 33 schools in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, has been recognised for its strong values, leadership and outcomes for children, after being selected as the first multi-academy trust (MAT) to undergo Ofsted’s newly-introduced Summary Evaluation.
Anne Davey and Ian Elkington. Photo: Jennifer Payne
Ofsted inspectors visited ODST between 8-11 January 2019 to conduct the whole-trust review, which included meeting with central staff and trustees, visiting schools and speaking to many headteachers and governors. Five trust schools were also inspected in the six months prior to the review, with positive reports.
A letter to ODST, published by Ofsted on 6 March, states: “The trust’s ‘common vision for the common good’ permeates all aspects of its work’, and recognises its ‘commitment to preserving schools’ individual characters’. It highlights the ‘empowerment’ felt by headteachers and governors, who describe ODST as ‘a listening trust’ and value the level of responsibility and freedom they have, for example, to ‘design a curriculum suited to the needs of their pupils.”
The report notes that: “leadership and teaching are effective” and strengths in the early years, phonics and key stage 1 were identified in school inspections. Inspectors also highlighted the steady increase in pupil attainment at key stage 2. Ofsted also found that:
ODST Chief Executive Anne Davey and her team were praised for displaying “high levels of professionalism balanced with warmth, care and respect”. She said:”I am delighted Ofsted has recognised the impact that our focus on people has had on outcomes for the children in our care. This letter illustrates how our approach is highly valued by schools and communities. We’ve welcomed this chance to showcase our trust, having already dedicated 2018-19 to consolidating the way we work before taking on any more schools. We are already developing our practice to ensure all children make the best possible progress from their starting points, along the lines that Ofsted recommends.”
An experienced headteacher who has worked both nationally and internationally successfully turning around several schools has been appointed as the new Diocesan Director of Education.
ANOTHER 28 of our Church schools have been awarded special plaques to celebrate being classified as Outstanding by SIAMS. Read more
AS she enjoys her last few months as Diocesan Director of Education, Fiona Craig tells Jo Duckles about the exciting challenges and opportunities that will face her successor. Read more
YOUNGSTERS from a Church school in Berkshire have been named as the national champions in this year’s Mock Trial Competition.
THE second annual diocesan School Governor’s Conference takes place at the Henley River and Rowing Museum next month.
Speakers will include Sarah Hubbard from HMI, Jane Martin, psychologist and Mark A’ Bear from NLG. The evening will also see governors who have completed the two-year Excellence in Governance programme presented with plaques.
The conference takes place on Tuesday 10 July, 6.30-9.30pm. To book email donna.finlay@oxford.anglican.org or call 01865 208272.
RELIGIOUS Education is regularly in the news. National reports have highlighted the difficulties with RE and religious literacy in wider society writes ANNE ANDREWS.
CHILDREN from Goring CE Primary School provided the choir for the Annual Service for Headteachers and Governors at Christ Church Cathedral.
Light was the theme for the event, which attracted hard working headteachers and school governors from Church schools across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. The Rt Revd Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, preached and presided, with readings and prayers done by the diocesan schools team and heads and governors.
Headteachers, governors and schools staff enjoy worship at Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral.
Young musicians from Goring CE Primary School played during the service.
Jeanette Millward, headteacher at St Peter’s, CE Primary School, Cassington, reads the intercessions.
Children from Goring CE Primary School provide the worship.
‘Let your light shine’ is the new message being shared at Winslow CE School. The Rt Revd Alan Wilson, the Bishop of Buckingham, spoke on that theme at a special service attended by pupils, staff, and parents. The choir of St Laurence Church led by Derry French, their music director, joined in.
A competition saw 350 pupils design art work on that theme. The winners, Maisie from year five and Florence from year four, had their designs turned into bookmarks, produced by the nearby Waddesdon CE School. Special thanks were given to Waddesdon, a nearby secondary school and to the Revd Andrew Lightbown, who set up a chaplaincy from St Laurence Church to fund the bookmarks and support the school.
Cazz Colmer, head teacher said: “We are a school that is rated good by Ofsted and our inclusive Christian ethos welcomes all children aged three to 11. Each child is unique, reflecting some of God’s light every day in what they do and on those they meet. Each one will find excitement, discovery, warmth and friendship here in the glow of that light. These bookmark designs are just one example of our pupils flourishing as individuals and engaging with each other. Such light dispels all kinds of darkness, bringing clarity, hope and purpose to our school and to the local community”
Caption: Back from left, Derry French, Bishop Alan, Andrew Lightbown and Cazz Colmer. From are Alice, Rowan, Florence, Maisie, Darcy and Harry.
TIME is running out for headteachers to book onto a taster session for a course that gives them the chance to step back, further develop personal resilience and explore their leadership skills.
The event takes place on January 19 at the Wantage Convent and gives heads the chance to consider whether they would benefit from joining the 2018/19 Performance, Resilience and Support Programme.
Far from being a simple quiet day or retreat, the afternoon taster event provides a summary of the programme on offer with an opportunity to ask questions 
and provides a taster of the full course. The full course offers a safe context to explore the successes and challenges of headship and supports heads in their own development and in their work of leading teams effectively to provide the best for the pupils in their care.
Christine Price-Smith, our diocesan school link adviser oversees the various programmes currently on offer to support headteacher well-being and professional practice. She says: “The diocese is completely committed to providing this as continuing professional development for our head teachers. Those who are already involved in the programmes are finding significant value in them and some are well into their fourth year.”
Feedback from headteachers who are currently involved has been positive with one experienced head stating: “It’s what every head needs.” Another said: “I think this course should be compulsory for headteachers for their wellbeing.”
If you are a headteacher at a primary school in the Oxford Diocese who is interesting in this course, please contact christine.price-smith@oxford.anglican.org