Pupils and staff at Southwold Primary School in Bicester are pleased to celebrate the school’s latest Ofsted report, following an inspection in March. 

Ofsted confirmed that the school has maintained the standards from its previous inspection - it was rated ‘Good’ in 2019 - in the overwhelmingly positive report.

Inspectors praised the primary school, which is part of The White Horse Federation, for being a “vibrant, inclusive and welcoming school” where “relationships are nurturing and pupils are happy”.
Inspectors also highlighted that the school’s ACHIEVE values - which stand for ambition; collaboration; honesty; inclusivity; environmental care; valiance and excellence - underpin everything the school does.  

Highlights from the report also include:
•    The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils achieve well across the subjects they study.
•    Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school.
•    The school has recently introduced a new and ambitious curriculum across subjects. With support from the trust, the school has identified the knowledge it wants pupils to learn.
•    The school has ensured that reading is a priority. Staff benefit from effective training and deliver the school’s reading programme well.
•    Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive effective support when they need it.
•    Pupils are keen to participate in the wide range of clubs and activities that the school offers, including coding, football, science and music.
•    Pupils benefit from meaningful trips and visits. For example: visits to the headquarters of an international car racing company as part of their learning about engineering design.
•    The school is highly reflective about its performance and takes effective action to drive improvement.

Luke Graham, Headteacher at Southwold Primary School, said:

“We are delighted to share this report. Our whole school community should feel proud as it has very much been a collective effort to achieve this. 
“Thank you to our dedicated and hardworking staff, who have worked tirelessly to continually improve the educational offer we provide to our children, and to our wonderful pupils, who exemplify our school’s ACHIEVE values exceptionally well.
“I also want to thank our parents and carers, our local governing body and The White Horse Federation for their continued support.
“We look forward to continuing to improve on this strong foundation, working together to secure the best possible outcomes for pupils.”

Simon Cowley, Director of Education at The White Horse Federation, said:

“Well done to the whole school community at Southwold; you should all be proud. We are very pleased that this report reflects Southwold’s nurturing and inclusive culture and its strong values. 

“We look forward to continuing to work together with colleagues to support each child to achieve their very best.”