AN inspector has praised an out-of-school club that children “really enjoy” coming to.
Education watchdog Ofsted visited the First Sports Coaching club at Pucklechurch Primary School in February.
Inspector Charlotte Adcock said the club, which offers care before and after school as well as during holidays, met the regulator’s requirements.
She said children arrived at the club each day “eager to join in with the activities” at the club, which has its own building on the school site and has 62 children on its roll, with up to 20 per session.
It has a main room including a quiet corner for reading and spaces for activities including arts and crafts, cooking and board games, with a separate room for table tennis and other indoor sports.
Children also take part in outdoor sport and activities when the weather allows.
The inspector said: “Everywhere you look, the children are remarkably engaged in the activities and toys on offer. Their energy and pleasure fill the air.”
She said staff listened intently to what children had to say and considered their interests and views when planning activities, using a ‘suggestion box’ for new ideas, which were then discussed with the children.
The inspector said: “Staff clearly put the children at the heart of everything they do.
“Staff are effective role models and have high expectations for all children.”
The report said children were encouraged to be physically active through a range of outdoor activities and were also provided with healthy food, and had a garden to grow their own produce.
The inspector said: “Parents are very positive about the club and say that their children love attending. They share that they feel their children are happy, safe and are in ‘good hands’ while at the club.”
The club is run by First Sports Coaching proprietor Josh Pollard, who employs four staff and also provides school PE lessons during the day.
Josh founded First Sports Coaching four years ago, after working as a swimming teacher from the age of 16, and built up his coaching experience with other companies after leaving college, before striking out on his own.
He said the positive report was the result of a lot of hard work by staff and said the inspector’s comments on the children’s behaviour and attitudes were “really rewarding”.
Josh added: “The inspector was getting involved in the activities – I think she almost forgot she was inspecting!”