A Nunhead primary school with a “strong and supportive community” where families speak highly of its “positive atmosphere” has been told by Ofsted that it continues to be good.

Ivydale Primary School, based in Ivydale Road, Nunhead, was last inspected on July 2 and 3, 2024.

The report was then published on September 25, 2024.

While schools have typically been evaluated based on their Ofsted rating, single headline ratings have now been scrapped.

This is planned to “boost school standards and increase transparency for parents”.

Single headline grades have been described by the government as “reductive” as they do not provide an assessment of the school’s performance overall across a range of areas.

The curriculum at Ivydale Primary School is reported as “broad and ambitious” and pupils with special educational need and/or disabilities (SEND) make “excellent progress” and get the support they need.

Ofsted reported that there is a focus on pupils being independent, for example as they move up the school, they are allowed to make their own decisions and “resolve issues fairly”.

Inspectors described behaviour as “positive” both in lessons and around the school.

Members of the school community were found to work to embody the school’s values: Responsibility, respect and positivity.

Wider development was identified by Ofsted as a “key priority”, with pupils of all ages being given the opportunity to gain confidence through public speaking – something that is even made a part of parent’s evening.

Children learn to communicate their needs and emotions and seek help when the need it, something inspectors recognised will “help pupils keep safe, especially online”.

Safeguarding arrangements were deemed effective and staff were found to be “highly skilled” when supporting pupils with SEND.

Children’s needs are identified early so that they can get the support they need, which inspectors found “helps pupils to develop the skills and confidence to learn alongside their peers”.

Attendance was found to be good, which Ofsted reported is “a result of the vigilance of leaders and the strong relationships between staff and families”.

To improve further, Ofsted suggested that some subject curriculums are “in an earlier stage of development”.

Therefore, inspectors suggested that Ivydale Primary School “develop and strengthen the curriculum in these subjects so that pupils consistently develop secure and deep knowledge across subjects”.

The News Shopper has contacted Ivydale Primary School for comment.