Ferndale Community Primary School

Two years ago the future of Ferndale Primary school looked bleak. The results had been steadily dropping in Key Stage 1 and 2 until both were below the floor standard. Only 29% of children were on track by the time I joined. Pupil numbers were decreasing rapidly, parental engagement was waning and staff morale was at an all-time low. Since then Ferndale has been on a journey.

The first priority was to raise the quality of teaching. We focused all staff meetings on CPD, and many specifically on what constituted good teaching. Clear expectations were set but they were coupled with the scaffolding and support required to help evaluate and improve their own practice.