A SCHOOL in Chipping Sodbury is celebrating after it was awarded a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted inspectors.

Raysfield Infants' School, which provides education for 174 pupils between the ages of five and seven, was ranked ‘outstanding’ for its personal development, behaviour and welfare, and ‘good’ in five other categories following an inspection in April.

Although the result shows a dip from the last inspection in 2009, which rated the school as ‘outstanding’, the inspectors noted that the school is aware of its shortcomings and has strategies in place.

They praised Executive Headteacher Alison Woods and her team of staff for cultivating a “strong sense of community” and having “high ambitions” for pupils.

The report states: "The school’s work to develop pupils’ personal development, behaviour and welfare is outstanding.

"Underpinned by the ‘happy school plan’, there is a strong sense of community and care for each other.

"Parents are extremely happy with what the school provides and really appreciate the adjustments that staff make in order for pupils to be happy and to succeed."

Mrs Wood said that she was “thrilled with the report”, which she believed recognised the school’s culture of inclusivity.

“We believe this to be a key strength of our school along with our children’s personal development, welfare and behaviour,” she said.

“I am proud of the team who work around the children of Raysfield to ensure the best possible outcomes and would like to thank all staff, Governors and parents whose feedback to Ofsted inspectors was so overwhelmingly positive."

Necessary improvements for the school include correcting pupils mistakes, ensuring that the quality of handwriting is consistent across the school and pushing the most able pupils. 

Responding to the recommendations, Mrs Wood said: “Raysfield outcomes are set to be back on track this year after a dip which was influenced by changes to the curriculum and assessment procedures."

The headteacher is due to retire this year, but said that she will be keeping a close eye on the school's progress.

She added: “I wish Miss Sheppard (Head of Infants) and the new Executive Head, Mrs Louise Lewis, all the very best for an outstanding future as part of Raysfield Federation.”