Skip to site navigation

Accessibility Options

Font size

Colour scheme

High praise for Eltham Church of England Primary

 
Ofsted, the government’s agency to ensure high standards in schools, has given its highest possible rating to Eltham Church of England Primary School, following a recent inspection.

Parents, pupils and staff are delighted with the glowing report, which highlights a number of "outstanding" practices throughout the school in Roper Street. The report also states that the school has a clear vision to continue to succeed in the future.

Church links

The school values its role as a Church of England Primary School, its emphasis on Christian values and the strong links it has with the local parish church. Last year the school was within the top one per cent of schools across the country for the progress made by pupils from the end of year 2 to the end of year 6.

The quality of teaching together with the high expectations of pupil behaviour, means that all pupils at the school do well, including substantial improvement from pupils who arrive with below average attainment levels and pupils with special educational needs.

Sports and choir

As well as outstanding academic results, the school holds Sport England’s Activemark and its commitment to sports is clear as they currently hold the Basketball National Schools record and just last weekend scooped the top prize for Basketball at the London Youth Games.

Eltham C of E also has a popular junior choir who have performed on a number of occasions, including as part of the opening events for the Tour de France when it started in Greenwich last year.

Healthy lifestyles

The commitment to active, safe and healthy lifestyles continues with the schools involvement in Transport for London’s sustainable travel programme and the WoW (Walk on Wednesday) scheme, which encourages parents to leave the car at home and walk to school with their children.

Parents and carers play a fully supportive and active role in the life of the school and many join the School Association, which helps to arrange school fundraising fairs and a number of events involving the local community. A parent at the school also co-edits the fortnightly school Newsletter.

The school places a great emphasis on giving pupils the skills and confidence to make the positive transition to secondary school and as part of a ‘cluster’ of local primary schools pupils take part in lessons and activities with secondary schools. 

Above average

The successful way in which children are supported to make the next step to secondary school is remarked in the report:

"By the time they leave, pupils' above average literacy and numeracy and their outstanding personal skills mean they are equipped exceptionally well for the next phase of their education and beyond."

Strong sense of community

Miss Whitney, Headteacher of Eltham Church of England Primary, said:

"With such an excellent report, there is a lot that the school can be proud of. I am particularly pleased with the positive comments made about pupils’ personal development and well being.  Our Christian ethos and strong sense of community and respect was noted when our pupil was quoted saying, 'We all belong together here.'

"Our results are very good and I was pleased that the inspectors recognised the real progression that pupils make throughout their time at the school. Results are not the only guide to success and our focus on behaviour coupled with first class teaching creates an excellent atmosphere for our pupils to learn and develop."

Letter to pupils

Following the report the Lead Ofsted Inspector, Michael Merchant, wrote to every pupil at the school. In his letter he wrote:

  • You make outstanding progress in your lessons and results in national tests are far higher than in most schools. Your results are getting better and better.

  • Your behaviour is excellent and you get on well with your fellow pupils. Eltham is a well ordered school and you look after each other.

  • You show a great enjoyment in your learning and know a lot about the importance of staying healthy and keeping safe.

  • Teaching is excellent and your teachers are very skillful and concerned to make sure that you do as well as you can.

  • The care, support and guidance that the school offers you is outstanding and it means that everyone can do well.

  • Your Headteacher and other senior staff are excellent leaders and know exactly how to make Eltham Church of England Primary School even better.
Read full details of the report on the Ofsted website.

14 July 2008

A to Z of Services