Downshire Nursery recognised as ‘outstanding’ by inspectors

Downshire Nursery School has been recognised for its ‘outstanding’ quality of education provided, during a recent Inspection.
Principal Angela Knox and the Staff of Downshire Nursery School Gail Cully, Emma Henry, Alison Adamson, Charmaine McVey and Carolyn Robson  ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1502-226EBPrincipal Angela Knox and the Staff of Downshire Nursery School Gail Cully, Emma Henry, Alison Adamson, Charmaine McVey and Carolyn Robson  ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1502-226EB
Principal Angela Knox and the Staff of Downshire Nursery School Gail Cully, Emma Henry, Alison Adamson, Charmaine McVey and Carolyn Robson ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1502-226EB

The local nursery school received an ‘outstanding’ result - the highest level awarded - from inspectors in all the areas inspected.

In their report, inspectors said: “In the areas inspected, the quality of education provided by this nursery school is outstanding.

“The nursery school is meeting very effectively the educational and pastoral needs of the children; and has demonstrated its capacity for sustained self-improvement.”

Downshire Nursery School Principal Angela Knox said she was “delighted” with the inspection report, and paid tribute to her “dedicated staff” for the success.

Ms Knox said: “Our whole school community is delighted with the outsanding outcome of our recent inspection.

“I would like to pay tribute to our inspirational, hardworking and dedicated staff, our very supportive and enthusiastic parents, our highly effective governors and most of all our wonderful pupils.

“What a pleasure it is to teach at Downshire Nursery School,” she added.

The inspection focused on the children’s achievements and standards; the quality of provision; and the quality of leadership and management.

Inspectors found the school to be ‘outstanding’ in their Overall Performance Level; Achievements and Standards; Provision, and Leadership and Management.

In their report, inspectors said that: “The children settle quickly on arrival in the nursery and immediately set about exploring and investigating the wide range of interesting activities available to them both indoors and outdoors.

“They display high levels of independence and self esteem and, when asked, are happy to discuss and explain their work and play.”

They added: “The staff present the learning environment both indoors and outdoors to a very high standard and every opportunity is used effectively to promote language and learning across all areas of the pre-school curriculum.

“The quality of the staff interactions with the children are consistently of a very high quality. They engage readily with the children in their play and often act as role models prompting and encouraging extended responses from them and developing their thinking skills.

“The children who require additional support with aspects of their learning are identified at an early stage and appropriate advice and guidance is sought to address their needs.

Parents are actively encouraged to become involved in their children’s learning and are provided with regular information on their progress.”

The report continued: “The principal provides highly effective leadership and management of the nursery school.

“She is very well supported in her leadership role by the hard working and dedicated staff who all contribute to the high quality of the provision.

“The staff and governors have a shared vision for the future development of the school.”

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