The inspection was their first since the school – formally known as Penhale Infant – merged with the former Newbridge Junior School to become Penbridge.
The infant school received a highly complimentary report from the Inspector and has maintained its good rating.
Highlights from the report included praising staff who are: “keen to ensure that pupils remember information for the long term. At the beginning of each session there is often a recap of previous learning. This is to ensure that pupils build on very firm foundations of knowledge. Teachers have high expectations of the work required of pupils. Pupils rise to this challenge and try their best in lessons.”
The inspector commented that the school’s leaders “have high expectations for every child… they want them to try their best in both their academic work and across the wider curriculum.”
Impressively, the inspector said: “Pupils appreciate school and say it is like a family. They consider that everyone gets on well. Pupils enjoy playing in the exciting playground including the wildlife corner.”
Penbridge Infant School has also been praised for their Rainbow Fish Centre which offers provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
The inspector commented, “This is a very inclusive school. Leaders have high expectations for every child. They want them to try their best in both their academic work and across the wider curriculum. Pupils are keen to do well and to please their teachers. Pupils speak with enthusiasm about how much they learn from the trips they go on, such as when visiting the animals at a local farm.”
Anna Webb, Executive Head of Penbridge School, said: “It’s brilliant news to hear that Penbridge Infant School has received a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted. Our staff work collaboratively for the benefit of transforming the life chances of our pupils. I’m particularly proud about Ofsted’s comment around the school being like a family. This is really important for the school and aligns with our values which are focused on encouraging our children to love learning for life.”
Natalie Sheppard, Director of Education for Portsmouth, at the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, said: “The school has gone through a lot of change to become Penbridge, but that hasn’t interfered with the quality education the children are receiving. It’s wonderful to see the staff so enthusiastic by the result, and retaining a ‘Good’ from Ofsted reflects the hard work that is being put in to support every child, to realise their potential.”