Yet another school in Merton has struck gold in an Ofsted report. On this occasion, the school is St Ann’s, a special school for pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties in Morden, praised for outstanding teaching.

Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education) also concluded that pupils’ personal development and well-being was outstanding. Behaviour is regarded as excellent and it’s recognised that the learners’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is also excellent.

Other key findings from Ofsted’s report pointed towards outstanding leadership from both the headteacher and deputy headteacher, who lead a dedicated staff team and who have demonstrated a precise awareness of the school’s strengths and weaknesses.

The report also paid credence to the fact that St Ann’s provides good value for money and many areas of the school are cramped, leaving insufficient space for therapy and small group teaching, however this shortcoming will now be looked at by the Local Education Authority for development.

Speaking of Ofsted’s glowing report, Tina Harvey Headteacher of St Ann’s School said:

“I am delighted that our school has again been recognised as providing excellent standards and would like to pay tribute to the dedicated staff here at St Ann’s.

Cabinet Member for Schools, Councillor David Chung also paid tribute to St Ann’s:

‘St Ann’s is another of our schools in Merton to demonstrate excellence where positive Ofsted reports are concerned. I commend the Headteacher, Governors, pupils and staff for their efforts and wish them further success for the future.”