Published at 11:04, Thursday, 11 October 2012

A HEAD teacher has said her school’s “pioneering” gender-specific projects played a part in it receiving a positive Ofsted report.

Thwaites Primary School received a good report, with outstanding features, from the national school inspectorate.

The school, in Hallthwaites, near Millom, received an overall “good” score, with behaviour and safety of pupils marked as “outstanding”.

Head teacher Jane Patton said the school’s “pioneering” gender-specific projects had helped to narrow the gap between girls and boys performances since the school’s last inspection in 2008.

She said: “Since our last inspection we have worked really hard on narrowing the gap between boys and girls.

“What we discovered is that teaching style has an impact on how the children make progress. So as part of our normal week, we split the groups up into boys and girls and work on projects that are more focused around their passions.

“It has paid off as there is no gender gap in Key Stage 2 results.”

In the report, inspector Naomi Taylor says of Thwaites pupils: “By the time they leave school their attainment in mathematics is above average and reading is well above average.

“Teachers have very high expectations and help pupils, including those who are new to the school, to reflect on and consider the consequences of their behaviour on others.

“This results in an extremely safe school community, which is a view shared by all pupils, parents and carers.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk