Verwood CE First School has been praised as ‘excellent’ following an official inspection.
The school, now part of Wimborne Academy Trust, has been judged as a vibrant Christian community where pupils flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
The praise came from Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools inspector, Lorraine Pugh, who visited the school recently.
She gave the school the top possible rating of ‘excellent’ and said the commitment of the headteacher was strongly supported by Wimborne Academy Trust leaders and skilled governors.
Headteacher, Adam Parsons, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive such positive feedback from the SIAMS inspector.
“The hard work and dedication of all our staff and students richly deserves this recognition and praise. We are supported by equally dedicated Trust leaders and governors and we are pleased that this was also noted by the inspectors.”
The SIAMS report also praised Verwood’s highly distinctive Christian vision, which it said “permeates all aspects of school life where every person is loved, cared for and valued”.
It highlighted how the school’s rich curriculum combined with skilled teaching has led to pupils achieving well and academic results are consistently above national standards.
The inspector praised pupils and said they always try their hardest in work and behaviour in calm classrooms and learning spaces.
She said the school, which joined Wimborne Academy Trust in January 2019, enjoys a culture of open dialogue with WAT leaders who also support Verwood’s on-going development as a successful church school.
Religious Education (RE), the inspector added, is well led and given high priority in the school.
The inspection concluded that Verwood CE First School lives by its values “where everybody matters”.
CEO of Wimborne Academy Trust, Liz West, said: “This is the first of our five church schools to undergo a SIAMS inspection since the Trust was formed in 2015.
“We are thrilled that Verwood has been judged as excellent by an independent inspection – a judgement that is thoroughly deserved.
“The school is excellently led by headteacher Adam Parsons who is equally supported by a wonderful community of staff, parents and pupils.”
Photo: SENIOR LEADERS CELEBRATE VERWOOD CE FIRST SCHOOL’S SUCCESSFUL SIAMS INSPECTION. PICTURED IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL’S PRAYER TREE ARE: HEADTEACHER ADAM PARSONS, SCHOOL ACADEMY COMMITTEE CHAIR JANE MEARNS , WIMBORNE ACADEMY TRUST CEO LIZ WEST AND CHAIR OF TRUSTEES JOHN DICKSON