Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Attendance Awards Week Commencing 19th March
Fri 23 Mar 2018Congratulations to all our winners.
Best Attendance Award
KS1 ~ Miss Donnelly's Class
KS2 ~ Mr Wolff's Class (First time winner)
Punctuality Award
KS1 ~ Mrs Winfield`s Class
KS2 ~ Mr Wolff`s & Miss Gill's Class
Most Improved Approved Attendance
KS1 ~ Mrs Ince's Class (First time winner)
KS2 ~ Mr Wolff's Class (First time Winner)
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Ofsted Report Outcomes Cover Letter
Thu 22 Mar 2018Dear parents and carers.
I am delighted to inform you that the full Section 5 Ofsted Report from our two-day inspection in February is now available on the school website and will be released on the Ofsted site within the next 10 working days.
We are delighted to confirm that the school has been graded
‘Good’.
To read the report in full, visit: www.ashgate.derby.sch.uk
‘About us <click> ‘Ofsted Report 2018 information for parents’.
The process was very detailed and rigorous and I am very pleased that this is acknowledged. I would like to thank all those who took part in the inspection, staff, governors, parents and pupils alike.
The school’s grading is ‘Good’, a benchmark that is high under the current Ofsted framework. We are very pleased that the hard work undertaken by all in the school community has been recognised, including the systems in place, the reflective and driven nature of staff/governors, the commitment of the pupils and the rate at which the school makes progress beyond that seen nationally.
The report itself is very detailed and highlights the many elements of good provision at Ashgate Primary School as well as the next steps needed to take the school forward. What is very satisfying is that all the areas listed were within the development plan prior to the inspection and some were already at action stages.
I do hope that parents and carers take the time to read the inspection report in full as it represents a school that is not only good, but one that aims to improve further and with the children at the heart of its work.
Grades
Grading explained: A grade is based on the Ofsted framework, where an assessment is made to establish whether criteria are met. These grades are then used to decide the overall school grade which is referred to as ‘Overall effectiveness’. Our school was graded ‘Good’ in its overall effectiveness.
Overall school grading: Good
Effectiveness of leadership and management: Good
Quality of teaching, learning and assessment: Good
Personal development and welfare*: Good
Behaviour*: Requires improvement (owing to persistent absenteeism, see below)
Outcomes for pupils: Good
Early years provision: Good
*Personal development, welfare and behaviour are separated into two criteria, where the lower grade dictates the combined grade.
A note on absenteeism (behaviour grading):
The Ofsted Framework 2018 clearly states that behaviour cannot be graded good if:
- Attendance is consistently low for all pupils / or groups of pupils and shows little sign of sustained improvement.
Under the Ofsted framework 2018, persistent absenteeism was the sole reason why behaviour was graded Requires Improvement. This was confirmed to both governors and myself during our face-to-face feedback. The school, and by which I mean the pupils and staff, had met all other criteria needed to achieve good. It was the non-commitment of some parents that resulted in that outcome.
For our school, there remains a persistent group who continue to be absent below 90% and are not showing sustained improvement (2 years or more).
Had those parents responded appropriately to the needs of their children, and reacted to the key message I have reiterated time and time again, behaviour would have also been graded good.
This is of course disappointing and I cannot hide my frustration that the report highlights that, ‘despite senior leaders’ best efforts, some parents have not engaged and do not understand the importance of regular school attendance’.
Parents should expect this to become an increased focus by leadership and management at the school.
To summarize:
This is a very good report and it is pleasing that the school is securely graded as ‘Good’. The Ofsted inspection was thorough, led diligently and was professionally undertaken. We were open and transparent around all aspects of school life and had much evidence to support the process. The outcomes match the criteria for a ‘Good School’, and all should be proud of this achievement.
I am particularly pleased that Ofsted recognised the journey of improvements made at the school over the last three years and I would like to thank the parents who have supported the school during this time. We will of course address, as we already are, any areas for improvement.
Once again, may I thank all those involved in the inspection itself, especially the staff, governors and children who continue to provide a positive to school life.
To read the report in full, visit: www.ashgate.derby.sch.uk <click> ‘About us <click> ‘Ofsted Report 2018 information for parents’.
If you would like a paper copy of the report, please contact the school office.
Mr Seargent
Headteacher
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Safeguarding Notice : Roblox
Tue 20 Mar 2018A parent has reported that their child was playing Roblox, an on line game available on consoles, and whilst accessing the game a message was sent from a third party which was intercepted by the parent. The message was inappropriate and was reported to and managed by Microsoft.
Whilst this case may not lead to any immediate risk, parents are reminded to be vigilant when children are online gaming or receiving messages via the internet or handheld devices.
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This week's Attendance Awards
Fri 16 Mar 2018Congratulations to this weeks winners
Key Stage 1 Best Attendance ~ Ms Vobes Class
Key Stage 2 Best Attendance ~ Mrs Patrick's Class
Punctuality Awards for everyone coming to school on time
Mrs Morris's Class
Mrs Winfield's Class
Most improved Attendance
Mr Jones Class
Mrs Sahota`s Class
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Year 3 & Year 4 Girls Football Team Success
Thu 15 Mar 2018Congratulations to our Y3&4 girl’s football team, who have added another trophy for our cabinet! Ashgate played in the Derby County Ladies FC football tournament held at the Lucozade Powerleague Soccerdome on 13th March.
Sixteen teams entered the competition with Ashgate and Firfield Academy winning their respect groups. The final finished 2-2 after normal time, then we played extra time during which Firfield scored one more goal to win the tournament and Ashgate getting the Runners Up trophy.
Well done and thank you girls; you were brilliant both on and off the pitch, embracing the Ashgate ethos of respect towards other teams and each other.
Team: Abby, Alesha, Charlie, Freya, Maleeka, Rose, Sara, Scarlett-Rose.
Many thanks to Miss Lammond for her help and support at this event.
Mr Odell
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This weeks Attendance Awards
Fri 09 Mar 2018This week best Attendance Awards have gone to :
KS1 Ms Vobes Class 98%. KS2 Mrs Patricks Class 100%
This weeks Punctuality Awards for no lateness in class have gone to:
Mrs Patricks Class and Mrs Haines/Mrs Parkers Class.
Congratulations
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Rescheduled: World Book Day is now Thursday 15th March
Thu 08 Mar 2018To celebrate this event, we will be holding a Vocabulary Parade.
We would like children to come to school dressed up as a word of their choice. Children should have a sign showing the word and its definition, which can be attached to their costume, carried or worn on string around their neck.
The aim of the day is to celebrate the variety and complexity within the English language and to enrich children's vocabulary. We ask that you encourage your child to select an ambitious word.
Each class will be carrying out a range of activities based on new vocabulary from a variety of books.
We look forward to seeing the children dressed up.
Many thanks for your continued support.
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Robinwood Update as at Friday 2nd
Fri 02 Mar 2018Hello all.
At this time, Robinwood confirm that they are open and it is anticipated that they will also be so on Monday onwards. The routes to Todmorton, where the centre is, are main roads and are clear at this time. Robinwood will keep us updated if there are changes.
As for transport, Mr Wollf has spoke to the coach company and they will be in a better position to confirm transport closer to Monday. Clearly, the forecasts are changeable and it is hard for them to commit now, but they hope to confirm tomorrow one way of the other.
We will keep you updated. Please understand that the plans may change if either the transport company's or Robinwood's assessments of the situation change. This will be beyond our control.
If the trip cannot go ahead, the plan will be to re schedule.
Mr Seargent
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School closure Friday 2nd March
Thu 01 Mar 2018Owing to the ongoing severe weather conditions and the potential hazards for parents and staff during travelling, I have made the difficult decision to close the school tomorrow (Friday 2nd March).
As at 1830 hrs a warning has been issued for travel conditions in the East Midlands on Friday, and the risk of freezing sitting snow is of concern.
This notice is given as early as possible to support parents making arrangements.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused, however, the wellbeing of all is paramount.
Mr Seargent
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Robinwood Update
Thu 01 Mar 2018I have contacted Robinwood Activity Centre today to ask them for confirmation of conditions at the centre and to ask whether the residential trip will go ahead as planned.
At this time, the centre is open. They are making the decision tomorrow as to whether our trip will go ahead as planned. This will be their decision. I will update you as soon as I know anything.
There will also need to be consideration as to whether, regardless of the centre being open or not, if it will be safe to travel. This decision cannot be made now and will be based on forecasts and conditions closer to the day, however, I will discuss this with the centre and review options.
I appreciate that you will be keen to know as soon as a decision is made, and I assure you that I will share all information with you as soon as confirmation is given.
