DNEAT MAT News

Parker’s Church of England Primary Academy in Saham Toney, Watton, has received an overall good rating in its Ofsted report.

Executive Headteacher Sarah Disney said: “Parker’s Church of England Primary Academy has changed enormously since becoming an Academy joining the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust. All of the staff have worked exceptionally hard to make significant progress and are immensely proud of the school.”

She added: “We are all overjoyed that the inspection team awarded us this grading: a good school which provides a good quality of education in all areas. The vast improvements which have been made have also been recognised by the Department for Education who have written to the school praising them for the work that has been done, and on the outcome of the inspection. We would love to welcome potential families to look around our school and see all that we have to offer.”

The Ofsted report noted that following a curriculum review, the school has designed a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum. The curriculum in each subject sets out the key knowledge pupils need to learn in each year group. In the early years, children quickly settle into the school’s clear routines and expectations and the school promotes a love of reading and high-quality books underpin learning in all subject areas.

The six values of respect, hope, kindness, responsibility, strength and unity are threaded through everyday life at Parker’s. Pupils are keen to show these values in their attitudes and in their relationships with each other. Pupils enjoy coming to school. They play happily in the playground, where older pupils look after their younger peers including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils with SEND are fully integrated in school life.

Oliver Burwood, CEO of Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust said:

“We are so proud of Parker’s Church of England Primary Academy and all of its children and staff who have worked so hard to make this a good school. It is clear how small schools within Norfolk and Waveney benefit from being part of a collaborative, which is what we strive to offer within our Trust.”

The school is federated with Caston Church of England Primary Academy and the executive headteacher oversees both schools in the federation and converted to become an Academy within DNEAT in 2020.  It has 16 staff and 82 pupils.