'Significant Improvements' Needed At First Tower School

An independent review of First Tower School says it needs to 'significantly improve' on students reaching expected age-targets.

Six inspectors visited the school in November, as part of the government's pledge to review all its schools by 2022.

Their report acknowledges there has been 'considerable change' at First Tower over the last year, which has begun to improve teaching.

The reviewers said under the school's new leadership team it now has a 'clear direction' on how to improve.

While pupil behaviour was praised as 'courteous and polite', it found lessons needed to cater to both the most-able students and those with educational needs.

Reception-age pupils achieve 'broadly average' standards in reading, writing and maths but that drops as students progress through the year groups.

"Currently pupils' achievement across the school is too variable and requires significant improvement in a range of subjects.  The challenge for the school is to ensure that pupils, including those eligible for the Jersey Premium and those with SEND, make consistent progress across the school and work at far higher standards.  There is much ground to catch up to ensure pupils are fluent in their application of knowledge and reach the standards expected for their age."

Headteacher, Lyn Linton, has welcomed the report, saying it reflects a number of areas already being addressed and promising 'rapid improvements':

"The recommendations made in the report reflect a number of areas that we are already working hard to improve upon, and we acknowledge that improvements must be rapid. As a new senior leadership team, we are encouraged that the reviewers recognised that we have acted quickly to gain a clear and accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school.

"I am confident that we, in close partnership with CYPES, will be able to ensure progress is made in our school. We have every expectation of success and will work in co-operation with staff, children and parents to ensure that we provide the best education for the school community."

You can read the full report at Gov.je.