Clare House Primary School rated ‘Outstanding’

A Beckenham primary school has received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted for its “inspirational leadership” and “impeccable” behaviour of its students.

Clare House Primary School, which is located on Overbury Avenue, was marked as Outstanding across each of the inspection categories: Effectiveness of leadership and management; Quality of teaching, learning and assessment; Personal development, behaviour and welfare; Outcomes for pupils and Early years provision.

The inspection, which was conducted last month, praised the executive headteacher and head of school whose “inspirational leadership ensures that a strong culture of high expectations prevails.”

The report also gave high praise to the “consistently effective teaching” which “ensures that pupils enjoy lessons and receive high-quality guidance.”

Inspectors found that “pupils behave impeccably in and out of lessons. Attendance rates are high and there is no persistent absence. Pupils, parents, carers and staff are overwhelmingly positive about pupils’ personal development as a result of the school’s work.”

“The curriculum is implemented well. As a result, pupils gain and build on knowledge and benefit from many opportunities to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Leaders responsible for subjects and other aspects of school provision typically make a significant contribution to school improvement.

“The early years provision gets children off to a secure start. Learning activities intrigue children from the outset and leaders ensure that the school’s values are communicated clearly.”

John Budden, executive headteacher and CEO of Langley Park Learning Trust, told News in Beckenham: “Everyone at Clare House is delighted by the ‘Outstanding’ judgment in our recent inspection.

“It is the result of six years of hard work and commitment since our previous Section 5 inspection and is a tribute to all the staff’s expertise and passion to provide the very best education they can for the children at Clare House – they fully deserve this accolade.

“I would also like to thank the governors, parents and children for all they have done to make the school what it is.

“Our mantra as a staff is ‘would this be outstanding for my child?’ and we will continue to use this as our central philosophy since we know that achieving this judgment is not the end of the process and we are committed to constantly improving the school over the coming months and years.”

Anna Clough, parent and chair of governors at Clare House Primary School, added: “We were so pleased when the Ofsted outcome was announced and we could share the full report with everyone.

“The results at Clare House speak for themselves, but the school is so much more than that. Clare House is a strong community with high expectations for every child. Each pupil is known as an individual and supported to develop the skills for primary school and life beyond that.

“My children love attending Clare House and relish the experiences it gives them, both in the classroom and beyond it. The Ofsted report recognised the quality of all staff, including the ‘inspirational leadership’ of our senior leaders. We would not have achieved this result without the hard work of all the staff, and the pupils; we are very grateful to them and proud of our school.”