Deer Park School has received its first report from OfSTED, where inspectors found the school to be Outstanding in all assessed areas. Opened in 2015 by Bellevue Place Education Trust and still operating out of a temporary site, the report acknowledged an “ethos focused on enabling every child to succeed”, noting that “inclusion lies at the heart of this outstanding school”. Deer Park epitomises the BPET vision of extending opportunities for enrichment well beyond the classroom, with “pupils’ high levels of participation in the school’s very rich and extensive extra-curricular programme [demonstrating] the success of this strategy”.
Academic excellence is central, with “strong progress across the curriculum” and “above-average standards” repeatedly remarked upon. The report credits “pupils’ outstanding progress” to “consistently effective teaching which engages and challenges”, with teachers “[encouraging] pupils to make links between subjects”. An emphasis on creativity is evident with pupils supported to “develop their appreciation of the arts and music”. Comprehensive progress is made across a “wide range of highly stimulating learning activities”. This extensive approach to education fosters a genuine enjoyment of learning as pupils “take pride in their work and persevere”, motivated by a “thirst for knowledge and deeper understanding”. The expansive benefits of Deer Park’s educational offer are clear, with OfSTED again describing “the school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare” to be “outstanding”.
Engagement from parents surrounding the inspection was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% considering their child to be happy and safe; that the school is well led and managed; as well as claiming to recommend the school to other parents. The report quotes their appreciation of “the ‘strong bond’ between home and school”, citing that “they could not think of a better place to educate their child”. The broad sense of school community extends to the school’s governance and BPET, who the report credits as providing “excellent challenge and support”.
The Chief Executive of Bellevue Place Education Trust, Mark Greatrex commented on the inspection result:
“I have watched Deer Park grow from just 13 pupils and four members of staff to become a thriving, vibrant school. The work that has gone into establishing this school, and ensuring it is located in the area we intended, has been absolutely phenomenal. Deer Park’s success has come from a joint effort with the Local Authority, Department of Education, parents and an ‘exceptional’ Headteacher. It is fantastic to have OfSTED recognise the hard work and successes, celebrating a high quality education offer that nurtures our pupils into lifelong learners”.
Alison Colenso, the Headteacher at Deer Park, also spoke about the report:
“I am beyond proud of everything the Deer Park community has achieved since opening three years ago. We are absolutely delighted that the passion, belief and unstoppable drive to be excellent in everything we do has been recognised. Our little school – in a grey portacabin in the middle of a carpark – has always been outstanding and we intend to build on this validation; continue to serve the community; and provide an exceptional education for local children for decades to come.”
The school is currently accepting applications for Reception to Year 3, and will begin Year 4 from September 2019.
Below are a selection of our favourite quotes from the report:
“Children behave very well and develop a good degree of independence. They become confident, creative and persevering learners.”
“Pupils make exceptional progress across the curriculum due to consistently effective teaching.”
“Outstanding learning is the norm for every child […] No stone is left unturned in providing pupils with an outstanding education.”
You can read the full report by following the link – click here.