Prospect Primary School
Prospect Primary School maintained its overall rating of ‘Satisfactory’ during its recent inspection. The school’s ratings fell in 3 of 18 individual areas of assessment and remained the same in all the others.
According to the Office of Education Standards report, “Whilst senior leaders had addressed some of the issues identified in the last inspection, progress in addressing these has been slow and the quality of teaching and levels of attainment remained satisfactory.”
Prospect received a 'Satisfactory' rating in its previous inspection in February 2019.
The school's ratings fell from 'Good' to 'Satisfactory' in 3 areas: Leadership, Self-evaluation and improvement planning, and Links with parents and the community.
"The Principal displayed a commitment to achieving improved outcomes for the students. The leadership team consisted of five non-teaching senior members of staff. Their roles and responsibilities were not always clearly defined nor given sufficient strategic focus particularly regarding priorities for school improvement," inspectors said, noting that "Middle leadership was underdeveloped."
Inspectors said that performance management arrangements were in place for teachers, as well as professional development opportunities, but those had not translated to improvement in the quality of teaching as a whole.
Prospect has 343 students on roll from Reception to Year 6. Principal Matthew Read has been head of school since 2016.
(Read our October 2020 interview with Read here.)
Prospect received 'Good' ratings in 4 areas: Positive behaviour for good learning, Students' civic and environmental understanding, Curriculum, and Health and safety.
"Students of all ages enjoyed learning and in lessons were attentive, polite and respectful both to staff and each other ... Students displayed a high level of courtesy towards staff and visitors," inspectors said. "They interacted well and showed tolerance to each other. Their social skills were well developed. Bullying was rare and students in interviews said they felt safe, and that staff dealt effectively with any concerns."
Because Prospect was rated 'Satisfactory', it will not be inspected again until the next cycle of inspections beginning in January 2023.