Pupils at Priorswood Primary School received a hands-on experience in bike safety and maintenance, thanks to a visit from local company On Your Bike.
As part of their commitment to promoting safe and sustainable travel, On Your Bike offered all pupils a free 40-point bike check and minor repairs, ensuring their bikes were road-ready.
Additionally, the team ran engaging workshops for Year 5 and 6 pupils, covering essential topics such as road safety, basic bike maintenance, and how to repair a puncture.
Carly Ellis, Head of School at Priorswood Primary, said: “We are thrilled to partner with On Your Bike for such an impactful event.
“These workshops have not only taught our pupils practical skills but also instilled a sense of confidence and independence when it comes to cycling.
“It’s been wonderful to see them so enthusiastic and engaged.”
The day highlighted the importance of cycling as a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transportation, equipping pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe on the roads.
A glowing Ofsted report which praised Priorswood Primary School for its ‘strong team’ and ‘significant improvement’ has seen the school presented with an important community award.
Taunton’s Priorswood – which joined the CLF in January – was rated as ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted inspectors, who highlighted staff as ‘effective role models’ who make the school ‘a calm and purposeful place to learn’.
In assessing the school, inspectors spent two days meeting with leaders, teachers and pupils, scrutinising practice and policy, and monitoring pupil behaviour and teaching in key subject areas.
The report from lead inspector Leanne Thirlby offered positive feedback on Priorswood’s ‘ambitious’ curriculum, ‘clear and structured’ SEND provision, and ‘effective’ safeguarding.
The report said: “Pupils at Priorswood Primary are proud to be members of their school. They enjoy coming to school, feel safe and attend well.
“Pupils show positive attitudes to their learning. Pupils conduct themselves well around the school. Pupils show a high level of respect for their peers and staff.
“The school has improved significantly in recent years. Staffing is now stable. As a result, there is greater consistency across the curriculum, including expectations of the pupils. Staff feel they are part of a strong team.”
And it is the team at Priorswood which was celebrated this week, with the presentation of a Civic Award by Taunton Town Council.
The award – which aims to recognise and celebrate Taunton organisations which ‘go above and beyond in their daily work for, and with, their community’ – was presented to Headteacher Carly Ellis and Priorswood staff in recognition of ‘the efforts made over the last year in achieving a significantly improved OFSTED report’.
At the presentation, councillor Nick O’Donnell heralded the Priorswood team and other award recipients for ‘their commitment to making Taunton a great place to live and work’.
He said: “It was a privilege to present certificates of thanks to so many of our inspiring residents, people who go the extra mile, with no expectation of recognition, but whom we should nevertheless acknowledge and applaud.”
Priorswood Head of School Carly Ellis said: “I am incredibly proud of the team at Priorswood, and it was a privilege to be asked to attend the Town Council meeting where the team’s dedication was recognised for its positive contribution to the community.
“We have been on quite a journey over the past five years, and I am looking forward to continuing the improvements to ensure that the children attending our school get the very best.
“As a team, we have moved the school forward and transformed Priorswood into a calm, safe and happy place to learn. I am very excited about the future.”
March already? It always surprises me how quickly the school year passes! We have spent much time since our inspection in November, reflecting on the comments made in the report and discussions that took place during the two days. We have made lots of positive changes in children’s wider development and have an established School Council Team as well as a Well-being Team – both of which were in their infancy when Ofsted visited. Mrs Fitzsimmons and Mrs Tanner are doing a great job at leading these teams. We are also looking at our curriculum and how we can enhance this further.
In reflection to our recent Parent Survey, we have made many decisions which will improve our school further. Thank you to all the parents who completed the survey and left comments. The comments left, allow us to understand some of the outcomes more clearly, so thank you. We will send a comment out on Dojo shortly with all the survey findings and our actions to improve. However, seeing as I am writing in the newsletter, I would like to share the responses to the question, ‘Which of the following do you find the most useful methods of communication from school?’ 90% of parents said that they find Dojo the most useful method. Only 5% of parents have said that the monthly newsletter is a useful method of communication. We have had similar feedback for some time now and have persevered. However, in future, you will receive the monthly newsletter with all the information you would normally receive except the class information which will continue to be uploaded to Dojo and then placed on the class pages on the website.
I am looking forward to all the Easter festivities which you will share with you are soon as they are confirmed.
