Ofsted Praises Rydon Primary's Ambitious Curriculum and Inclusive Ethos 

Pupils and staff at Rydon Primary are celebrating after receiving their Ofsted report following a recent inspection.

The school met the ‘expected standard’ in the categories of achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, early years provision and leadership and governance. Their personal development and wellbeing offer was graded at a ‘strong standard’  with inspectors saying that leaders have designed an extensive personal development programme, expertly tailored to the school’s context and that leaders are relentless in their pursuit of equality.

Ofsted is no longer using single-word judgements such as ‘Good.’ However, ‘expected standard’ is now the new benchmark for a high-performing school doing everything it should and ‘strong standard’ means that they are working above the expected standard.

The wide range of opportunities the school provides for pupils was a focus in the report with inspectors commenting that beyond the classroom, pupils enjoy a wide range of clubs, curriculum trips and enrichment activities. A wide range of rewards, particularly the school’s ‘11 by 11’ strategy, broadens pupils’ experiences. For example, forest school sessions enable pupils to develop new skills in an outdoor environment.

The school was also described as inclusive with the report noting that staff routinely adapt learning activities to ensure that pupils with SEND are able to access the same curriculum as their peers.

 The report states that pupils take pride in being part of Rydon Primary School, they attend regularly, behave well and benefit from a wide range of experiences and that the school values of 'aspiration, resilience, responsibility and teamwork' and groups such as the 'Rydon reps' help build a school where younger pupils aspire to be like their older peers.

The progress that the school has made was highlighted in the report, with inspectors saying that the school, supported by the trust, has moved at pace to establish an ambitious curriculum and that leaders have ensured that the curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils build their knowledge well over time. 

Inspectors concluded that pupils take pride in the school's welcoming ethos, where anyone and everyone belongs and that this is a direct result of the securely embedded school values that pupils live and breathe. Inspectors recognised that pupils share their views and influence school life through the school council, helping to improve experiences for others.

Staff were also singled out for praise with the report saying that leaders develop positive relationships with families and pupils.

 Other comments in the report included:

• Pupils make a difference as positive members of the community.

• Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
• Pupils display positive attitudes to learning and staff know pupils well.
• Rydon Primary is an inclusive school.
• Leaders value strong relationships with families and work closely with them. Parents and carers express support for the school, and positive relationships between staff and parents contribute to pupils’ wellbeing. Parents typically describe the school as a very happy place to be. 

Danny Brown, Headteacher at Rydon Primary, said: 

 "We are incredibly proud of this report because it reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment of our pupils and staff. It is particularly pleasing to see Ofsted recognise the progress we have made in developing an ambitious curriculum, our strong personal development offer and the positive attitudes our pupils show every day. The report celebrates what makes Rydon special, our values, our sense of community and our belief that everyone belongs. We see this report as part of our journey and as a springboard to achieve even more for our children going forward.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

"This is a fantastic report for Rydon Primary. What stands out most is the culture that has been created, one where pupils are proud of their school and are encouraged to contribute positively to their community.

"We are delighted that Ofsted recognised the pace of improvement at the school and the positive impact of the partnership between Rydon Primary and Education South West. We look forward to supporting the school as it continues to build on this success." 

Rydon Primary Pupils Crowned Winners of Rotary Young Apprentice Challenge 

Pupils at Rydon Primary are celebrating after being named winners of the Rotary Newton Abbot Young Apprentice Challenge 2025–2026.

Just before Christmas, year 3 children took part in the enterprise initiative, organised by the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot. The challenge saw pupils given £50 to invest in a small business project with the goal of generating profit.

Using their investment creatively, the children designed and produced a range of items to sell at their stall during the school’s ‘Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair’. They also organised a Christmas colouring competition to help boost their fundraising efforts. Their hard work paid off, with the class finishing in the top three for overall funds raised and securing a place in the final.

On Sunday 22nd February, a selection of year 3 pupils proudly represented their year group at the finals, held at Teign School. Accompanied by their teachers, Miss Thomas and Miss Barker, the children confidently presented their project to members of Rotary and a representative from ShelterBox. They explained how they had planned, organised and successfully run their stall, showcasing both their financial understanding and entrepreneurial skills. 

The pupils were awarded first place in the competition and received a £50 Amazon voucher in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

Danny Brown, Headteacher at Rydon Primary, said: 

“Throughout the project, the children demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm and commitment. Alongside strengthening their mathematical knowledge, they developed valuable life skills including teamwork, communication, problem solving and perseverance.

“This fantastic accomplishment highlights the creativity, determination and collaborative spirit of Rydon Primary’s young learners. A huge congratulations to all involved on a truly well deserved success.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

“This is a tremendous achievement for the pupils at Rydon Primary. Opportunities like the Rotary Young Apprentice Challenge allow children to apply their learning in meaningful, real world contexts.  To see Year 3 pupils planning, budgeting and presenting in this way is inspiring.”

Rydon Primary Celebrates Outstanding Progress in School Waste Reduction

Rydon Primary is celebrating a remarkable improvement in its recycling and waste‑reduction efforts following a second whole‑school waste audit carried out by Devon’s Resource Futures, led by sustainability specialist Alex Mack.

The audit, completed last month, showed dramatic progress since the school’s initial audit in April last year, demonstrating the commitment of pupils, staff and the wider school community to making meaningful environmental change.

In the first audit the school was sending 6.76 tonnes of general waste each year to the Energy from Waste plant and had a recycling rate of just 25%. By the second audit general waste had been reduced to 3.5 tonnes per year and the recycling rate had risen dramatically to 62%. This represents a 47% improvement overall. These impressive figures reflect a whole‑school effort to reduce waste contamination, recycle more effectively, and understand the environmental impact of everyday choices.

At the heart of this success were the Rydon Pupil Ambassadors, led by teacher Ellie Thomas, who were praised as “fantastic” by Resource Futures for their energy, leadership and passion for improving sustainability at school. Their work has inspired pupils across all year groups to rethink their waste habits and embrace recycling with enthusiasm.

Danny Brown, Headteacher at Rydon Primary, said: 

“We are incredibly proud of the whole school community for achieving such a significant improvement in such a short space of time. The children have truly embraced the challenge, and their enthusiasm for looking after the environment has been inspiring. This project has shown our pupils that small changes really do add up to a big difference.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

“This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when pupils are empowered to take the lead. Rydon Primary’s progress demonstrates the impact of education in shaping responsible global citizens. We are delighted to see such impressive results and proud of the staff and pupils for their commitment to sustainability.”