All categories of the tough Ofsted inspection received ‘Good,’ rating the quality of education, pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management for the seven to 11 year-olds, in an inspection carried out over two days by two Ofsted inspectors in September 2022.
The report highlighted that ‘pupils are flourishing at this school,’ that they have an ‘ambitious curriculum and are taught well,’ ‘pupils develop a positive attitude to education’ and ‘pupils listen, focus and are eager to work hard.’
The report also noted that the school is providing well for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and this is central to the leaders’ vision for inclusive education.
Jo Cerullo, Executive Headteacher of Diss Church of England Junior Academy said: “We are very proud of our school, our fantastic and dedicated staff and our delightful pupils. We are continually grateful for all our support from our community including our governors and parents. It is a privilege to work alongside St Benet’s Multi-Academy Trust to secure such improvement that we are able to proudly announce that for the first time in over 20 years we can say ‘Diss is a GOOD school’.”
There are many positive elements highlighted within the report is that Diss CofE Junior Academy which has 200 pupils. But the fact they are held in high regard by parents, and they say that leaders go above and beyond to help pupils and families get the most out of what the school has to offer and leaders means much to the staff.
One parent said: “I wanted to email you all to say congratulations on your “Good” report. You are all wonderful and a credit to the school, the children look so happy and get a lot of enjoyment out of learning. Over the past few years, you have all been pushed out of your comfort zones with lock down and supported and helped the families that struggled.
I was one of the very grateful parents to know that my children were safe and well looked after while I continued to work. Not just with their learning but the emotional support from the school is something we as a family will be forever grateful for. It’s a stressful time during an inspection and they only see a snapshot of what the school is like. Every day is different. Those two days out of the year is only a snippet of how fantastic you all are! Once again congratulations to you all, well deserved!”
Richard Cranmer CEO of St Benet’s Multi Academy Trust said: “One of the joys of my job is seeing the lives of children being transformed by the improvements that our Headteachers and staff are carrying out in their schools. Diss Junior Academy is a wonderful example of how a school can place itself at the heart of a community to provide so well for children and families, enabling them to flourish. Everyone associated with the school should feel extremely proud of their achievements since joining St Benet’s.”