West Moors Middle School has been awarded Dorset Council’s Education ‘STAR’ Award, after achieving a Good judgement in its recent Ofsted inspection, which took place in February.

Vik Verma, director of Education and Learning in Dorset Council, attributed this to the strong senior leadership, the dedication of the staff team and the commitment of children to their personal learning journeys.

The Ofsted inspectors said that leaders have high aspirations and that pupils rise to this challenge, so that all pupils will be ‘the best that they can be’. They were impressed to see children so motivated and inspired to read and acknowledged the ambitious curriculum in place to support children’s development of knowledge. The Ofsted inspectors also praised the careers education within the school and recognised the combined efforts of all members of the school community in ensuring children at West Moors Middle School thrive and feel supported in ‘being themselves’.

On 10 March, Cllrs Parry, Kerby and Quayle visited the school where they had the opportunity to talk with many of the children.

Cllr Parry said: “I was delighted to visit West Moors Middle School once again and see for myself, the improvements being made across the board and also a chance to offer our congratulations to everyone involved in the school’s recent achievement of being graded Good by Ofsted. The confidence and enthusiasm with which both the students and teachers spoke to us about their work was impressive.”

Dr Craddock, headteacher, said she was incredibly proud of everyone in her school community whose enthusiasm, hard work and commitment have made such a positive difference to their children’s education, growth and development.