OFSTED REPORT

we got the best possible outcome! 

We are delighted that our most recent Ofsted report (March 2025) was 'exceptionally' positive

In March, the Inspector spent two days in our school - talking to pupils, looking at children’s work, seeing lessons and our school day in action, speaking to staff, Governors, parents and carers and reading the feedback shared on the survey.  I am so pleased that after her two days with us she was VERY impressed with our school - in fact the report uses the word ‘exceptional’ a number of times to describe our school.   

During our short ‘ungraded’ inspection, the Ofsted Inspector praised our school for building impressively on our previous ‘Good’ rating.  In fact, the report concludes that “the school’s work may have improved significantly” since the previous inspection in 2019.   It is worth pointing out that under the section headed, ‘What does the school do well and need to do better?’ there are no areas for improvement identified at all – this is truly something to be celebrated! 

This means that if the inspection had been a ’graded’ inspection, it is highly likely our school would have received ‘Outstanding’ grades, the highest possible recognition from Ofsted.  We are thrilled with this feedback!

We are especially proud that the report reflects our ethos and Christian values of kindness, honesty, friendship, and respect, which are clearly seen in our children’s actions every day.

While the format of short inspections does not permit a change in grading, the Inspector’s comments offer a powerful affirmation of the significant improvements across the school’s work.  This phenomenal feedback means that we will now be ‘fast tracked’ for a further inspection, usually within the next one to two years, and our next visit from Ofsted will be a full graded inspection, which would enable our gradings to be changed. This is a very strong indicator of the high-quality care, education and personal development we provide here at St Thomas’.

Please do take time to read the report, you will see that the report paints a wonderful picture of life at St Thomas’.

'Inspiring each other to shine' - Matthew 5:16