Ofsted pleased with Featherstone Academy

Her Majesty’s Inspector Catherine Crooks was full of praise for staff at Featherstone Academy.

She said the school, which used to be Whitgreave Primary School and belongs to Wolverhampton University's Education Central Multi-Academy Trust (ECMAT), has a culture that is aspirational for all pupils.

Her inspection report also said theschool was well-led and managed and improvements continued to be made to raise standards further and provide more opportunities for children.

Staff at the school said they were delighted to again be rated 'good'.

The visit was the first short inspection carried out since the school was judged to be 'good' in February 2012.

Headteacher Caroline Jobling said: "Featherstone Academy was praised for the behaviour and safety of children and the way that children enjoy coming to school and enjoy their learning .

"We have maintained a good quality of education with very strong or outstanding elements of leadership and management and behaviour and safety."

In her inspection report, Ms Crooks also praised the children's attitude to school and learning.

"Pupils talk enthusiastically about the school and they appreciate the help and support that they receive from their teachers.

"Older pupils enjoy taking on responsibilities such as those of head boy and girl or their deputies, helping younger pupils with their reading and being school council representatives," she said.

In the letter to Mrs Jobling, she also wrote: "Increasingly, you are addressing the needs of all your pupils, including the most able, through effective planning in which teachers ensure that activities are suitably challenging.

"Reading and writing skills are developed across the curriculum and standards of presentation are generally high."

"You and your team provide pupils with a wide range of experiences in order to help raise their aspirations.

"For example, groups of gifted and talented pupils have recently visited the science museum, while others have visited art galleries or have been involved in a performing arts project with schools from across the multi-academy trust.

"The high expectations of staff are enabling more pupils to work at greater depth and achieve higher standards," she added.