Record schools Ofsted rating for Royal Borough

The proportion of the Royal Borough’s schools judged to be good or outstanding by Ofsted has risen further to a record 97 per cent – well above the national average of 86 per cent – despite the additional challenges of Covid.

Since Ofsted inspections resumed in September 2021, six schools have been inspected with two schools – Bisham Academy in Marlow and Eton Wick First School – both increasing their performance rating from requires improvement to good.

As a result, 64 of the 66 schools in the Royal Borough are currently judged to be good or outstanding, with 22 schools, or 33 per cent, considered outstanding. The proportion judged to be good or outstanding was 94 per cent prior to these latest inspections and 86 per cent back in 2017.

Councillor Stuart Carroll, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health, said: “We can take pride in the Royal Borough in having excellent, well managed and high-performing schools, among the best in the country, offering children the very best start and opportunities in life.

“We can be doubly proud that, despite home-working and other challenges to children’s education resulting from Covid, schools have either maintained or improved their Ofsted ratings, and that’s a huge credit to dedicated teaching staff, governors, parents and pupils themselves, as well as our schools teams at Achieving for Children, our children’s services partner.

“While celebrating a record proportion of schools rated to be good or outstanding, we recognise that within that overall 97 per cent figure are inspirational journeys of growth, application and much-deserved achievement.

“We also recognise there is always capacity for further improvement and the council will continue to provide tailored support and guidance to all schools on an individual basis to help them maintain and further improve standards.”

Among the success stories is Bisham Academy, now judged as good by Ofsted, having gone on a major journey of improvement since being placed into Special Measures in September 2014.

Laura Morel, Head of School, said: “We were delighted that Ofsted recognised that we have high expectations and aspire for every pupil to be the best that they can be. The children are enthusiastic about their learning and make good progress in a small happy community.”

Another significant success is Eton Wick First School, now judged as good in their most recent Ofsted inspection, having been told they require improvement back in March 2016.

Karen Waller, Headteacher, said: “The Ofsted report clearly articulates the strengths of our school, we have come a long way in the past couple of years and have seen the hard work of all staff impacting on the achievements of our children. We are also very lucky to be supported by our parents and wider community too.

“I can’t thank my staff team enough for their continued passion and drive for improving each child’s education. To hear Ofsted recognise that ‘Children relish learning at Eton Wick…in this happy school’ is a wonderful reflection of our whole school community and vision.”