The 79-pupil school was visited by Ofsted for the first time since 2010. Deputy head Janet Parnell said she was “absolutely ecstatic”.
Copdock Primary School has shared with this newspaper an unpublished inspection report by the education watchdog which praises the headteacher’s “excellent leadership”, the school’s “strong” teaching, and high-achieving pupils who are “not afraid to get things wrong”.
Mrs Parnell said: “It’s been a long time. They have moved all the goalposts and it is much harder now (to get an ‘outstanding’ rating), but we are absolutely ecstatic. It is a recognition that you are doing the right things.
“We are a caring, small school, and it was great for them to see the fabulous things we are doing.”
Lead inspector Ruth Brock said: “The headteacher’s (Joanne Austin) excellent leadership has created a highly effective school with a strong culture of continuous improvement. No one in the school is complacent, including the pupils.”
Pupils regularly debate their learning. The report said: “They are not afraid to get things wrong: in fact this is actively encouraged because they are taught to ‘follow mistakes with learning’. Pupils work extremely well together and respect the views of others.”
Students are appointed as playground ‘buddies’, school council members, and head pupils. Year 2 teaching was split from Year 1 and reception this year, while the curriculum was described as “well-established, engaging and stimulating”.
“Pupils enjoy the ‘sparkle’ moments that begin a particular theme”, the report said.
Children enjoyed a visit from a rescue charity, including two dogs, for which the school raised £82, and the “Year 4 sleepover where they get to roast marshmallows”.
Last year, 73% of Year 6 pupils achieved the expected standard in reading. It was 91% for maths and 27% for writing.
The report added: “Following the 2016 writing results, the school has worked with local authority personnel to train new teachers, moderate teachers’ judgements of writing and enhance the teaching of spelling, punctuation and grammar.”
The school unveiled the Ofsted news to parents at a MacMillan coffee and cake charity event on Friday afternoon.
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