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Lochinvar School Ofsted Inspection

Today, the Ofsted Inspection for Lochinvar School in Longtown is published.  The Inspectors report said the school has good features and provides a satisfactory education for its pupils.  They achieve well compared with their standard on entry to the school.  This is a result of good teaching as pupils move through the school.  The new Headteacher has a clear view of the future development of the school and has good leadership.  Management of the school is sound and provides satisfactory value for money.    

The report identifies the following strengths

  •      Teaching is good and pupils achieve well 

  •      Results in GCSE examinations are improving more rapidly than is found nationally 

  •      The Headteacher leads the school well with a clear sense of purpose 

  •      Adults who work in the school provide a good caring climate in which relationships between staff and pupils are good 

  •      The work of the school is enriched through its close links with many individuals and organisations within the community of Longtown and beyond 

  •      The range of activities available to pupils is good; many pupils enjoy full use of them 

The report also finds some areas that need improvement, these include:

  •      Pupils make good progress although standards are not high enough when compared with all schools 

  •      The approach of some teachers to some groups of pupils does not tackle their learning needs as imaginatively or sharply as it should 

  •      Management lacks structure at all levels and important aspects of the curriculum do not meet requirements 

  •      Attendance is below the national average.  This has an effect on the standards pupils achieve in GCSE examinations 

Headteacher, Alan Smith says 

“The school is very pleased with the findings of the recent Ofsted inspection.  The most important conclusion is on the quality of teaching and learning highlighted in the report as this is what matters most to pupils, parents and teachers.  The quality of teaching and learning is reflected in the improving performance of pupils in National examinations and while the school is delighted at progress made so far it recognises that there are still areas requiring attention.  These areas will form the basis of the school’s action plan, which will allow the school to maintain the good progress made since the last inspection in 1996.  

I am delighted to see that the quality of care offered to our pupils has again been recognized in the report.  The recognition of the key role the school has in its community is also highly significant.  These comments coupled with the very positive comments on pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development shows that the school is fulfilling its role as a community school very effectively.    

The positive nature of the report has not occurred by accident but is a result of very hard work by all involved with the school.  Credit has to be given to the pupils, teachers, parents, governors and the community in general as they have all contributed significantly to the current position recognized by the Ofsted inspection team.”  

The school was last inspected in December 1996.  The Inspectors also found that the parents’ views of the school are very positive and feel that the school helps their children to achieve their full potential.