Article on school Ofsted was ‘misleading’

St John Southworth is a thriving and improving school. A quote from the Ofsted report clearly states “The school’s progress data provides evidence of rapidly improving progress in Key Stage 2 since September, 2013”.

September, 2013 is when the new headteacher and deputy headteacher took up their posts and Ofsted stated: “The headteacher and his deputy have the energy and skills to secure the school’s continued improvement and together with the new senior leadership team, and a strong governing body, they have stopped the decline in achievement in KS2 two.”

Another clear quote from Ofsed clearly says “Standards in Year 6 are already meeting the expectations set by the Government in reading, writing and mathematics and progress is better than expected.”

These statements contrast greatly to the picture you have painted of the school in the opening paragraphs of your report.

We are extremely proud of the children who attend St John’s School and value the overwhelming support their parents and families give to the school.

I strongly feel your article was particularly misleading and didn’t reflect the whole picture of the school. Inspectors noted our children are well behaved and pupils from different backgrounds get on well together and work alongside one another in harmony.

Pauline Firman

(Chair of Governors)