THE interim headteacher of a Winsford primary school where ‘children and staff are always smiling’ is proud of its progress, after putting a plan in place to improve its outlook.

Oak View Academy, in Whitby’s Lane, was rated ‘good’ at an Ofsted inspection in 2017, and the education watchdog has since visited the school this week.

After taking on the temporary role in September, headteacher Phil Sharrock shared his thoughts on improving the school at a parent’s forum.

Mr Sharrock – who has more than 10 years of experience as a headteacher – said the school could be ‘vulnerable to being inadequate’, but stressed he was putting plans in place to turn it around.

“It wasn’t my intention in any way to cause any concern or worry,” he explained, saying the forum was more about ‘motivating’ the school community to further improve and grow.

“I have come into school and seen how really great it is and I have got a massive ambition to keep moving it on.

“I wanted to get the message across, to see what we can do and get people on that journey with me from the start.

“I am always striving for better in all the schools I have worked with to make them the best they can be.”

The three key points Mr Sharrock wanted to make clear to parents to further improve Oak View included:

  • embedding the leadership and management structure by developing a stable staffing structure;
  • improving the quality of teaching and learning so that it is consistently good;
  • and accelerating pupils’ progress and raising standards in reading, writing and mathematics.

The rating and report of this week’s Ofsted inspection are yet to be published, but the school is looking forward to seeing the announcement in the near future.

“We’re delighted with their findings,” Mr Sharrock said.

He praised the ‘terrific’ leadership and management at Oak View, as well as the ‘wonderful’ building and facilities on site.

“My favourite thing is to see the children and the staff always smiling – it’s a very happy school,” he added.

Mr Sharrock explained how his role as a foster carer works hand in hand with being a headteacher, allowing him to bring a ‘nurturing aspect of support’ to the school.

To this end, he has introduced a ‘Nurture Room’, a space where children can get support in regulating how they feel and be nurtured in a safe, calm environment.