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Teachers, nursery nurses, staff, children and governors at
Northfleet Nursery School are celebrating an exceptional report
from Ofsted, the official body for inspecting schools, which rated
it as outstanding - putting it amongst the county's
elite.
It is Kent County Council's only maintained nursery school and
provides free nursery education for children aged from three to
five years. It is an inclusive school that supports all children
with individual needs.
Ofsted inspector Patricia Davies comments: "Northfleet is an
outstanding school. It is held in high regard by its parents, many
of whom express strong satisfaction with all aspects of its
work.
Praise is wide-ranging but frequently highlights the school's
high level of dedicated care and support for its pupils, whatever
their needs and including those with learning difficulties and/or
disabilities.
"One parent wrote to say of staff, 'I really believe they put the
children first in everything they do and every decision they
make.'
"The school places parents as equal and crucial partners in the
educational process. Where language or confidence, for example, has
inhibited some from participating the school is quick to draw them
in.
"Those parents attending a small workshop in school spoke with
considerable enthusiasm about how the school's support for them had
directly benefited their children.
"By the time children leave to go on to primary school
attainment is above expectations. Swift progress is most marked in
children's personal and social skills and standards here are high.
Relationships across the school are warm, friendly and harmonious.
Behaviour is excellent. Children are extremely happy and confident
whether working alone, alongside others or jointly on a task.
"The headteacher demonstrates exceptional leadership and the
small team of staff work together very closely. The greatest
strength of the school's overall good leadership and management is
the high level of shared responsibility and commitment to raising
achievement.
"The high expectations the school has of itself have led to some
of its judgements about itself being over modest, but its systems
for analysing where it might improve are excellent. Taken together
with its already conspicuous success in furthering children's
academic and personal development, these strengths mean it has
outstanding capacity to improve further."
In a letter to pupils at the school, Patricia adds: "I really
enjoyed my visit to your nursery and thank you for making me so
welcome. It was a great pleasure seeing you all so busy and
enthusiastic.
"Your school is excellent and your mums and dads are extremely
pleased with everything it does for you. Most importantly, you are
learning lots and lots of new and exciting things very quickly and
this means that your education has got off to a really good
start."
Northfleet Nursery School Headteacher Panna Nagar said: "We knew
we had a flagship nursery school but now we are proud to receive
acknowledgement from Ofsted with the outstanding inspection report.
We're already preparing a new vision to take us to the next level -
reflecting the needs of the parents and local community."
KCC Cabinet Member for Education Operations, Resources and
Skills
Mark
Dance said: "As our only maintained nursery school, I'm truly
delighted with the Ofsted inspection. I have visited the school
recently, and I agree that the teachers, nursery nurses and other
staff are giving the children the best possible start in life and
preparing them for primary school. I congratulate everyone and wish
them all the luck in the world." |