Dame Tipping Primary School rated 'good' by Ofsted

Dame Tipping Church of England Primary School, in North Road, Havering-atte-Bower, received the education watchdog's second-highest 'good' rating - in what will be one of the last single-word judgements schools receive.

After an inspection on July 3 and 4, the school was handed the second-highest grade for its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision, and an 'outstanding' for pupils' personal development.

This comes as the school - with only 94 pupils - celebrates its 300th anniversary this year.

Head of school Stella McCarthy said: "We are delighted with the inspection report, especially as we are celebrating our 300th birthday as a primary school this year, so a good Ofsted really adds to the celebrations."

RELATED NEWS: Havering secondary schools you could consider for 2025

Lead Ofsted inspector Annabel Davies highlighted that the "small school community is friendly and welcoming" and that pupils support each other.

In the report, she said: "Pupils are polite and kind to each other.

"They help other pupils at break time to play together and make friends."

Ms Davies also noted that the pupils, ages between four and 11, "love to learn" and "become active citizens who make a difference in their community".

The school in North Road has a 'friendly and welcoming community' (Image: Google Maps)

Dame Tipping Primary School, which is part of the LIFE Education Trust, encourages extra-curricular acitivities to help children do this, such as fundraising events at a local hospice and ecology projects organised by "eco-ambassadors".

The Ofsted report also focused on the school's leadership opportunities for pupils.

Ms Davies said: "Through these opportunities they gain confidence in public speaking and develop their leadership skills.

"For example, reading ambassadors in Years 5 and 6 help to organise the school library and classroom book corners.

"They often read to younger pupils."

• READ MORE: Lime Academy Ravensbourne Harold Hill rated 'good' by Ofsted

Reading has been "prioritised" at the Havering-atte-Bower school, while the curriculum is "constructed to be ambitious".

However, the report noted that at times teaching in some subjects "lacks precision".

Ms Davies said: "Adults in the classroom are not fully clear on the key knowledge and skills they want pupils to learn.

"They are not routinely and systematically checking that pupils have secured new knowledge before moving on."

The Ofsted inspector added that Dame Tipping School's attendance is "below the national average", although it does provide "effective support" for pupils identified as having the most significant barriers to good attendance.