Pupils giving guidance to teachers is key to turnaround in primary school’s fortunes

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

A primary school which encourages critical feedback from its pupils about teaching staff has received a glowing Ofsted report – being reclassified as ‘good with outstanding features’ where it had been a ‘requires improvement’ establishment.

Giving their teachers feedback on how they’re doing and suggestions for improvement are all part of the routine now at St Barnabas and St Philip’s – a Church of England primary school in Kensington.

It has its own School Parliament where pupils, who are elected by their peers, give feedback to teachers as part of a democratic dialogue.

The west London school has been upgraded by Ofsted in just two-and-a-half years and they say it is because they’ve created an environment where pupils are not only comfortable vocalising when things are going well or when they are struggling, but also saying when the teachers could sharpen things up.

Head teacher Rebecca Timms, 35, joined the school in September 2022, almost a year after Ofsted inspectors found students losing focus in class and teachers struggling to provide clear instructions.

She said: “When I came to view the school, I knew I could make a difference and to me, that’s very important. We’re in education because we can make a difference to the children.”

Officials who visited St Barnabas and St Philip’s in May this year said students were proud of their school and talked positively about recent adjustments, which have included ‘significant changes’ to leadership and staff.

Inspectors said pupils felt listened to and relished opportunities to contribute to decisions at the Earls Court Road school.

They wrote: “Because of this, they demonstrate both maturity and a full commitment to school life. Pupils readily take on the wide range of responsibilities available, including roles in the School Parliament as eco-warriors and play monitors.”

Jake, who is in Year 6, said changes to the school have made it better. The 11-year-old said: “There are a variety of topics in lessons. Some are active and some are more writing and reading. There is more to do.”

Fellow classmate Simona, 11, agreed. She said: “Before you couldn’t talk to partners and other groups but now we can talk to them and get their opinions.”

St Barnabas and St Philip’s was handed an overall rating of ‘Good’ by Ofsted inspectors during a visit on May 1. It received an ‘Outstanding’ ranking in the areas of behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. It received a ‘Good’ rating for early years provision and quality of education.

Pictured top: Jack and Simona, say they support changes at the school (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)