Tilstock Children Shine as Ofsted Praises Strong Wellbeing, Inclusion and Achievement

Inspected under the rigorous new ‘School Report Card’ framework, Tilstock CE Primary School and Nursery is celebrating a highly positive outcome following its first inspection under the rigorous new framework. Inspectors praised the school’s strong culture of inclusion, high-quality personal development provision and commitment to helping every child thrive.

The inspection awarded the school a Strong Standard for Personal Development and Wellbeing, praising leaders for placing “inclusion at the heart of the school’s work”.

The report reflects the school’s vision and ethos of Achievement Through Caring, which inspectors found embedded across all aspects of school life. Children are described as “happy and proud to be part of this welcoming school community”, where they feel safe, valued and supported to achieve their potential.

Inspectors highlighted the school’s “comprehensive and thoughtfully sequenced personal development programme”, recognising how it develops children’s confidence, character and understanding of the wider world. Children benefit from a rich range of experiences, including educational visits, clubs, visitors and leadership opportunities, helping them develop the skills and knowledge needed for life beyond primary school.

Key highlights from the report

Inspectors praised leaders for ensuring that staff know children as individuals and for removing barriers to learning and wellbeing quickly and effectively. The report highlights how children with special educational needs and disabilities, disadvantaged children and vulnerable learners are supported to access the full curriculum and wider opportunities alongside their peers, achieving and are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

The school’s broad and ambitious curriculum was also recognised. Inspectors found that leaders have designed a well-sequenced curriculum that provides children with opportunities to experience a wide range of subjects while building strong foundations in reading, writing and mathematics.

The Early Years provision received positive recognition for providing a calm, nurturing environment where children settle quickly, develop independence and establish secure foundations for future learning. Inspectors praised the strong relationships between staff and children, alongside the school’s structured approach to phonics and early reading.

Behaviour and attendance were also recognised positively. Inspectors found behaviour across the school to be calm, orderly and purposeful, with children demonstrating positive attitudes to learning and living out the school’s values of Hope, Nurture, Respect, Joy, Aspire and Achieve.

The report acknowledges improving outcomes for children, noting that most children, including disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs and disabilities, achieve well from their starting points. Outcomes in the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check have improved and are now above the national average.

Inspectors also praised the school’s leadership and governance, recognising leaders’ clear vision, strong understanding of the school’s priorities and commitment to ensuring all children feel included and succeed. Parents were noted as expressing very positive views about the school and the care their children receive.

Executive Headteacher, Rowena Kaminski, said: “We are delighted that the Ofsted inspection recognised Personal Development and Wellbeing as a Strong Standard and acknowledged that children achieve well from their starting points. For me, achievement is about far more than academic outcomes alone. My ethos has always been that children need strong foundations in personal development; they should feel nurtured, cared for, valued and experience a genuine sense of belonging. When children feel safe, confident and supported, they are able to flourish both personally and academically.

We are particularly pleased that inspectors recognised our inclusive culture and the way Achievement Through Caring is embedded throughout every aspect of school life. We are committed to ensuring that every child is known as an individual and has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their starting point or circumstances. The report reflects the dedication of our staff, governors and families in creating a school where children feel safe, supported and inspired to achieve their very best.

We also welcome the areas identified for further development. We continue to strengthen writing and ensure that learning across the curriculum consistently deepens children’s knowledge, skills and understanding. Continuous improvement is central to everything we do, and we remain fully committed to providing the very best education, opportunities and outcomes for every child.”

Chair of Governors Dave Perrett said: “Governors are proud of the dedication of our staff, children and wider school community. We are delighted that Ofsted recognised the school’s strengths in personal development, inclusion, safeguarding and leadership. We look forward to continuing to build on this strong foundation.”

Sarah Finch, CEO of The Marches Academy Trust added: “We are extremely proud of everyone in the Tilstock community, and the positive outcome achieved through its first inspection under the new Ofsted framework. The report reflects the school’s commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and high aspirations for all children. It is particularly pleasing to see recognition of the strong relationships, nurturing environment and culture of Achievement Through Caring that underpin life at Tilstock. We congratulate the staff, governors, children and families on this well-deserved outcome.”

While celebrating the many strengths identified, school leaders acknowledge the next steps highlighted within the report, including further strengthening writing skills and ensuring learning consistently builds on prior knowledge across the curriculum. These priorities are already being addressed as part of the school’s ongoing improvement journey.

Tilstock CE Primary and Nursery would like to thank its children, staff, governors, parents and the wider community for their continued support. Together, the school will continue to ensure every child is encouraged to shine bright and reach for the stars.

If you would like to know more and see us in action, please contact us for a visit on 01948 880347 or visit tilstockprimaryschool.co.uk.