Ofsted regularly inspects schools and the aftermath of an inspection is a report which gets published online. The report shows how the inspectors rated the school on a number of key judgements.
All schools are rated on four judgements: the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and the leadership and management. Where applicable, a school will also be judged on the early years provision and the sixth form provision. Each judgement is given one of four ratings; ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires Improvement’ or ‘Inadequate’.
Prior to September 2024, schools were given a one-word or two-word judgement which were generated by the judgements (noting that the quality of education was a limiting factor). But this process was scrapped and instead no judgement is given, although it can be inferred, and starting in the next academic year, schools will be given a report card.
In December, five schools in Bristol were given a new Ofsted report. These schools fall under the Bristol Local Authority.
Chester Park Infant School – Remains as ‘Good’ following ungraded inspection
Chester Park Infant School, in Fishponds, remains at a ‘Good’ standard following an ungraded inspection.
(Image: Google Maps)
Chester Park Infant School, at Lodge Causeway in Fishponds, was judged to have maintained the same standards as when it was subject to a graded inspection back in 2019. The infant school provides education for 233 pupils aged between four and seven.
Since the previous inspection, the school has revised the curriculum for pupils in mixed-age classes which includes brand new adaptations. The school also plans a wide range of meaningful experiences for pupils.
Speedwell Nursery School – Mix of ‘Requires Improvement’ and ‘Good’
Speedwell Nursery School was rated as ‘Good’ for behaviour and attitudes and personal development, but received a ‘Requires Improvement’ rating for the quality of education and leadership and management. Improvements have been made since its previous inspection in 2022 (where the school was given a ‘Requires Improvement’ judgement), however the impact of these is “yet to have the results they are aiming for”.
The nursery, which was rated as ‘Outstanding’ ten years ago, was praised for its staff, who build strong and warm relationships with children from day one when starting at the nursery. Children, as a result, learn how to be kind and develop a sense of belonging.
But some children do not deepen their knowledge during independent times as adults do not make the most of every opportunity. Assessment use at the school remains in “early stages of development”.
Upper Horfield Primary School – “Some aspects of the school need further improvement”
Upper Horfield Primary School, whilst improving, was found to still need further improvement following a monitoring visit.
(Image: Google Maps)
Upper Horfield Primary School, on Sheridan Road, was subject to a monitoring inspection visit on November 7, which reports on the school’s progress rather than judge the school on the key judgements. The finding was that some aspects of the school still require further improvement.
The school’s last graded inspection was in June 2023, which found that the school ‘Requires Improvement’. The report notes that changes to the school have improved the school as a whole, including in the leadership structure, the curriculum and support given to pupils with SEND.
The school recognises that further training and progress is needed to sufficiently improve the educational provision at the primary school. The inspector noted that attendance at the school has improved following prioritisation of finding patterns of absence.
Ilminster Avenue Nursery School – Remains as ‘Good’ following ungraded inspection
Ilminster Avenue Nursery School, in Knowle West, was described as a “friendly and inclusive place at the heart of the community” when an inspector visited on November 12 and 13. The nursery, which has high expectations for what children can achieve, has 159 children on its school roll between the ages of two and four.
School leaders were praised for bringing “increasing stability” to the school following a period of turbulence. The curriculum is “ambitious” and learning is adapted for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Parents of children at the school share positive views of the establishment. They appreciate the care that staff show to children, especially those with SEND.
Oasis Academy Brightstowe – Mix of ‘Requires Improvement’ and ‘Good’
Oasis Academy Brightstowe, in Shirehampton, was rated as ‘Requires Improvement’ in two key judgements by Ofsted.
(Image: Google Maps)
Oasis Academy Brightstowe, in Shirehampton, has been through a “period of turbulence” which has seen educational standards decline. In two key judgments, the school was rated as ‘Requires Improvement’, including the quality of education.
The secondary school has “reset the expectations for behaviour and learning” following low published outcomes for year 11 pupils. But the changing culture at the school is yet to impact results.
New processes for identifying pupils with SEND have improved the support given to pupils and the curriculum was described as “well sequenced”. Ofsted praised the leadership team who are getting the school back on track.
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