A BEAMINSTER school has maintained its 'good' Ofsted rating following an inspection by the education watchdog in November.

Mountjoy School in Tunnel Road caters for a high number of students with additional needs and is located on the same site as Beaminster School in the west Dorset town. 

Ofsted visited the school over two days on November 15 and 16 and graded it as 'good' in all areas.

It was last graded back in February 2016 when it also received a 'good' rating from inspectors. 

Ofsted said in its report that 'pupils love to attend and appreciate everything adults do for them' at Mountjoy, and 'attend with excitement' the range of additional activities on offer, such as the orchestra and choir.

"Adults have high expectations of behaviour. Pupils respond to this and behave well," it added.

"They say that bullying is rare and if issues occur, staff sort them out quickly.

"Leaders place a high priority on pupils’ personal development. Adults know each pupil exceptionally well.

"They are quick to spot any changes in their wellbeing and take swift action. Pupils are safe and well looked after."

Targets are said to be checked 'frequently' at Mountjoy School to enable pupils to develop, while teachers were praised for crafting 'an ambitious and well-planned curriculum'.

There is an aspiration for children to become at least functional readers by the time they leave school, while pupils who may struggle are given additional help to improve their reading skills.

Elsewhere, students have 'a good understanding of diversity' and different cultures and there is a focus on relationships, personal safety and physical and mental wellbeing, Ofsted said.

"Adults in the school are rightly proud of the nurture and care they provide," it added.

"This is seen from the moment pupils arrive at school. Pupils are greeted with a smile and a warm welcome."

Ofsted did note some areas where Mountjoy School could improve, including teachers leaders not making 'regular checks' on how well pupils are learning in some subjects.

"This means pupils are not learning the knowledge and skills in the depth they need," the watchdog noted.

Ofsted added that some leaders 'have not had the opportunity to monitor the subjects they lead' which means they 'do not know' if pupils are acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills.

"Leaders need to ensure that subject leaders are able to check the quality of provision to assure themselves pupils are learning the intended curriculum," it advised.

However Oftsed was highly positive about the west Dorset school, claiming that pupils 'enjoy their learning' and 'aspire to become the best they can be'. 

Mountjoy head teacher Gill Howard said: "Ofsted has judged the curriculum as ambitious and well-planned and identified that it is bespoke to the needs of the pupil.

"Whilst we are striving to improve subject leader monitoring impacted by the COVID years, we are enormously proud of the achievement of the children and young people who attend Mountjoy."