| |
Year 3 pupils, from left, Seah Dragomir-Polya, Frishta Kakar, Tyreke Reid, Pochara Charoensuk, Afsana Hoque and Francesca Bell with Beckford Primary School’s headteacher Dilys Hoffman |
‘I feel so safe at school – it’s like being at home’
Hampstead primary with a unique approach to teaching wins the praise of inspectors
CHILDREN at a West Hampstead primary school were celebrating this week after inspectors highlighted “outstanding” features in the school services.
Beckford Primary School, in Dornfell Street, was praised by the government’s Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) inspectors for the care, guidance and support it provided its pupils.
As a result of the individual attention given to the 435 pupils, bullying is rare and pupils take pride in their school and take their responsibilities seriously, the report claimed.
One pupil described it as “like being at home – I feel so safe”.
During a recent visit inspectors noted the curriculum is “outstanding”, which as well as being well-planned and relevant is also creative.
For example, writing activities were linked to current issues such as England’s involvement in the Rugby World Cup final, while visits to the local area and visitors to the school are used to widen the children’s experiences.
There is also flexible provision for individuals to develop skills in sports, music and the arts.
The report said: “Even the youngest and most recent arrivals settle quickly because of the warm inviting environment, positive adult support and clear expectations.”
Inspectors praised the headteacher’s leadership, saying that she “runs the school tremendously well” and has cultivated a sense of teamwork in the committed and motivated senior leadership team.
The school accommodates a high number of pupils eligible for free school meals – twice the national average – with English as an additional language for most pupils.
Headteacher Dilys Hoffman said: “I am particularly pleased that the inspectors recognised the hard work and commitment shown by the staff in quite challenging circumstances.
“We feel vindicated that many of our initiatives, many of which are unique to this school, have been validated and praised by Ofsted as adding to the value of our pupils’ education. “Beckford is an inclusive school, welcoming all individuals from our community and I am privileged and proud to be the head of a school that has this ethos and ably demonstrates that it can work in practice.” |
 |
| |
|
|
