A primary school in Hythe has been praised for its regular singing assemblies ‘sung with gusto’ in a recent ‘good’ report from Ofsted.

Waterside Primary School on Ashford Crescent received a grading of good in all areas from the education regulators, who also gave them the same grade in their last inspection in 2019.

Ofsted picked up on their group singing sessions in particular though, praising the school for letting pupils choose their songs.

The report said: “Pupils consider their regular singing assemblies to be a highlight. They know assembly routines well, and these enable all pupils to join in.

“Rousing and well-rehearsed renditions of pupil-chosen songs are sung with gusto. Parents and carers are regularly invited to watch, and pupils enjoy performing in front of each other and their families.”

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Headteacher Emma Moakes took over after Ofsted said the school ‘requires improvement’ in 2017 and has since won back-to-back ‘good’ gradings.

The Hampshire County Council-funded school has 176 pupils aged between four and 11.

The education regulators also picked up on how staff at Waterside try to take their teaching to the woodlands.

Waterside Primary School pupils learning in the woodlands, which Ofsted praised.Waterside Primary School pupils learning in the woodlands, which Ofsted praised. Ofsted said that these outside learning sessions are a highlight for pupils and that the extra-curricular clubs and trips available are also strong.

They believe that "pupils’ wider education is closely matched to their needs".

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The report also says that pupils consider treating each other with respect "to be a hallmark of the school" and that they are encouraged to be "ambitious and tenacious".

Ofsted praised the school for the strength of their early years teaching.Ofsted praised the school for the strength of their early years teaching. Ofsted also picked up on the strength of the school’s early years teaching.

The report says that phonics teaching is "precise" and that pupils who need extra support are quickly identified and given it.

Headteacher Emma Moakes said: "We have a wonderful team at Waterside and the report is just verification of the work we do daily.

"For me it represents and acknowledges the commitment and hard work of staff and the strong community we have here at Waterside."

Ofsted also noted that pupils with special educational needs or disabilities are known very well by staff.

However, the report did say that systems in place to check up on these pupils are not used well enough, and that the school needs to continue to strength their checking process.