Camden News: Edith Neville | Ofsted | Ossulston Street | Somers Town | Inspection

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden News - by TOM FOOT
Published: 13 November 2008

Edith Neville parents and pupils protesting council plans in June

A school at war with the council: but it’s all roses in Ofsted report

Edith Neville receives glowing praise against backdrop of planning strife

A HIGH-PERFORMING primary school at the centre of a rocky battle with the council over the future use of its site has been given top marks by inspectors.
Edith Nevile in Ossulston Street, Somers Town, was described as “wonderful” and “outstanding” by government inspectors.
Parents and pupils were sent a personal message from Ofsted, telling them how much its officers rated the school.
The glowing report came after a hectic summer in which governors locked horns with Town Hall chiefs, threatening to break away from Camden’s family of council-run schools after being told another school would be built on its grounds.
Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children is being evicted from its home in Swiss Cottage to make way for Camden’s first academy secondary school – and education chiefs insist it must be rebuilt on the same site as Edith Neville.
Governors have no argument with Frank Barnes but are worried the shake-up will lead to a squeeze on the current site which will harm their pupils’ education. The issue led to protest marches over the summer and remains unresolved.
The glowing Ofsted report reached the highest possible rating for the quality of teachers, pupil achievement, teaching and learning.
The inspectors’ letter to pupils said: “You go to an outstanding school. This means that many things are wonderful and very little needs improving. Your headteacher and all of the other adults are working very hard to make the school as special as possible for you.”
The rare “outstanding” rating is considered more significant because Edith Neville includes some of the most disadvantaged pupils in Camden. Most pupils live in social housing and over half receive free school meals.
Headteacher Seán O’Regan said: “It is very hard to achieve an overall outstanding grade for any school, and especially rare for those in challenging circumstances – children’s results are almost never high enough, even where outstanding progress is made.”
The report said: “This is an inclusive school, where relationships, racial harmony and community cohesion are excellent. Parents gain a great deal from the school, which helps them to support their children’s learning.”
Chairwoman of governors Robin Nash said: “This report is due to the exceptional talent, commitment and vision of our headteacher and his staff who all work so hard, not only to help the pupils achieve to the absolute best of their abilities, but to create a happy supportive environment in which they can achieve such outstanding results.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: