Amherst Primary School has been rated ‘Excellent’ for the Personal Development and
Welfare of its pupils, and ‘Good’ across all remaining categories, following a recent Ofsted inspection.
The ‘Good’ ratings cover the Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Leadership and Management, and Early Years provision.
Inspectors praised the school for supporting pupils’ personal development through a wide range of enrichment activities which allow students to explore their interests and talents. The report also noted that participation was notably high among disadvantaged students and those with additional learning needs (ALN).
The report acknowledged that, “following a period of staffing instability, officers from the Education Office and the new school leadership team have worked to restore stability and set a clear, ambitious vision for all students.”
Ofsted grades schools from being ‘Inadequate’ to ‘Excellent’.
Amherst’s report outlined that in mathematics, well-utilised resources helped students grasp numerical concepts.
However, one area where the school could improve is in providing more opportunities for students to apply their mathematical knowledge to reasoning tasks, said Ofsted.
The report also outlined that strengthening this aspect of teaching would help improve overall achievement in the subject.
Gary Hind, Headteacher at Amherst Primary School, said he was very proud of everyone involved in the school and its recent inspection, and they will take all of the feedback provided on board.
“I am incredibly proud of our school community and the positive learning environment we deliver together. This report highlights the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils, and the strength of our curriculum in helping every child at Amherst succeed. While we celebrate our successes in reading, writing, and personal development and welfare, we are also committed to continuously improving, particularly in deepening our pupils’ mathematical reasoning skills. With our strong and supportive staff team, I am confident we will do so and continue to be true to our motto: every child, every chance, every day.”
ESC President, Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen praised the school – which also holds a Gold Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools Award.
“Amherst embodies our commitment to providing every child with the best possible start to their life-long learning journey. The positive learning culture, strong leadership, and focus on both academic success and personal growth are a testament to the dedication of staff, pupils and families of the school. It’s fantastic to see the emphasis on reading, writing, and enrichment activities that inspire confidence and resilience in our island’s young people.”