Delight for Dilton as Ofsted marks as ‘Good’ in every area

A glowing Ofsted report has praised Dilton Marsh CofE Primary School for their wonderful improvement.

Following a visit from inspectors on 31^st October and 1^st November, Dilton Marsh has been rated as ‘Good’ across all areas, including quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision.

The village school had previously been rated as ‘Requires Improvement’, following an inspection in 2019, but has changed considerably for the better in the last four years.

Dilton Marsh, an Acorn Education Trust setting, was celebrated by Ofsted inspectors for building ‘trusting’ relationships with pupils which help them feel safe. 

Further recognition was given to the school for preparing pupils for secondary school, with pupil’s responding to staff’s high expectations for them by ‘behaving well and working hard’ and being ‘highly engaged in their learning’.

The report noted that the school had ‘rightly focused on developing the curriculum since the previous inspection’. The new broad curriculum was found to have been carefully sequenced to help children build their knowledge successfully, with inspectors praising staff for having ‘high ambitions for pupils, including those with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND)’, who learn alongside their peers.

The inspectors went on to note that the school ‘has inspired a love of reading’; as a result, ‘pupils feel confident and take pleasure in reading’ with some children attributing reading to ‘supporting positive mental health’.

Safeguarding at the school was found to be ‘effective’.

Pupils were also found to be well-mannered and eager to discuss their learning; they show ‘respect and tolerance to those with differing views and beliefs; and use the school values of ‘hope, respect, compassion and perseverance’ well as a guide for their behaviour.

Dilton Marsh Headteacher Jill Hibbs said: “This achievement is a collective celebration for our whole school community, who rose to the occasion during this inspection to showcase their learning, behaviour and positive relationships. I am delighted that our pupils and staff were so highly praised and it’s wonderful to see their hard work reflected in the report’s outcome.”

While the report did note that in a minority of wider subjects and mathematics there are still some improvements to be made to help fill gaps in pupil’s knowledge, it went on to highlight the training that staff are receiving from across the Trust is helping boost confidence and improve subject leadership.

Mrs Hibbs added: “As a school, our priority is to encourage children to become independent, curious and resilient learners. We are ambitious for our future and have a shared commitment to driving improvement to ensure that each of our children develops a passion for life-long learning, striving for what’s best for ourselves, others and the world.”

Click here to read Dilton Marsh's full Ofsted report