A SCHOOL in Winsford has retained a ‘good’ rating following an inspection.

Over St John’s Church of England Primary School received a visit from Ofsted at the start of the year.

Addressing the Principal, the Inspector Margot D’Arcy said: “Your regular checks on teaching, learning and behaviour astutely identify what is working well and what needs to improve.

“You prioritise improvements and plan the necessary actions to achieve these. This effective process underpins the school’s drive to improve.

“You recognise the school’s role in promoting fundamental British values and pupils’ understanding of diversity. You have deployed a member of staff to lead on this.

“Recent work has included identifying opportunities to promote British values across the curriculum and a research project for a small number of Year 5 pupils.”

Safeguarding is said to be effective at the school.

Inspector D’Arcy said: “You and staff know pupils well. Training for all staff is regular and effective. This means that staff are well placed to spot potential signs of risk to pupils’ safety and well-being.”

Development in writing skills, particularly in boys, was a key line of enquiry in the inspection.

Inspector D’Arcy said: “Progress is evident. Writing shows good incorporation of grammar, punctuation and spelling and the development of imaginative vocabulary. Teachers have thought carefully about how to motivate boys to write.

“I saw evidence of writing in history, science, geography, art, religious education and mathematics.

In the early years, however, the outdoor area lacks any resources or opportunities for children to write or read.

“Despite the examples of improvement, raising standards in writing remains a school priority.”

The school also needs to further develop pupils’ understanding of British ideals in relation to diversity.

Inspector D’Arcy said: “Pupils can name the fundamental British values and are familiar with the basic principles that underpin them.

“However, the depth to which older pupils understand these values differs little from the understanding of younger pupils.”