AN island school hailed as a ‘safe, welcoming and happy place’ for children to learn has been praised as good across the board.

Ofsted judged South Walney Infant and Nursery School to be a good school, as it also did four years ago.

The education watchdog said: “Leaders and governors have established a strong ethos that focuses on making the school a ‘safe, welcoming and happy place where everyone is valued and respected’. They are deeply committed to enabling children and pupils to develop as learners and as young citizens within their own community and in the wider world.”

Ofsted saw how pupils conducted themselves well around school and in lessons. Inspectors said the curriculum that leaders and governors provide makes “good use of the opportunities that exist in the local area and environment,” and pupils learn about their local community while developing skills across a range of subjects.

Leaders and teachers monitor pupils’ progress “rigorously.”

Ofsted said: “They take effective action if they see that pupils are at risk of falling behind.”

The report says: “Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve well. The improvements to outcomes in 2017 have largely been maintained in 2018 because leaders have established a strong focus on the progress of all pupils across the school.”

Ofsted saw that the support for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, and for disadvantaged pupils, is “highly effective.”

Head teacher Nancy McKinnell said: “The recent Ofsted report reflects the commitment and dedication of our whole school community staff, parents and governors to providing the best teaching and learning for all the children in our school.

“We live our vision for a safe and happy school where everyone is respected and valued. We are proud that even in the last days of a long hot summer term Ofsted inspectors were able to see such good quality teaching and learning in action as well as our children behaving so maturely and well. A school is a sum of its parts. We are very much a team and the report reflects how our team all contribute to the success of our school.

“Our school is a true community school with many of our staff living and working on the island. We have a great vested interest in preparing children for the world and life ahead and being good citizens.”

As Ofsted said: “They are deeply committed to enabling children to develop as learners and young citizens within their own community and the wider world. We know our children and families well and enjoy engaging with our parents, grandparents and the wider community. We are committed to proving a rich and varied curriculum.” with an emphasis on enriching learning through practical experiences and visits throughout the area in which we are well supported by parents.

“We recognise there are always ways we can improve and we are ready to respond to the two actions set for us.

“Governors play an important part in leading the school and Revd Andy our chair of governors visits school weekly and has a thorough knowledge of the school on a day to day basis. All our governors are pro active and as Ofsted said ‘passionate’ about their role.

We are grateful for the support of all our governors, families, friends and most of all our children for making the school what it is today.”