Ambleside Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is an improving school. In the words of one pupil, typical of many, the school is an 'amazing place to be'.

The school's motto of 'Dream, Believe, Shine' helps pupils to aspire to be the best they can be. Parents and carers told inspectors that the school has 'come a long way'.

Pupils feel safe and supported.

They know that any concerns they may have will be listened to and taken seriously. Pupils said that when falling out or bullying happens, adults sort it out quickly. The school's reward systems help pupils to understand how to make positive choices.

Pupils behave well.

Leaders have high expectations of pupils. They want them to be ...proud of where they live.

They ensure pupils learn about their locality and beyond. They include visits and experiences as part of the curriculum. Pupils say that this helps them to understand how to be a 'good citizen'.

However, some subject plans are not fully developed. They do not clearly identify the key knowledge pupils need to know.

Some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not receive precise learning targets to help them know more over time.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders want all pupils to have the best possible start to their education. They have ensured that aspects of the curriculum are well sequenced. However, this work is not yet complete.

In some subjects, leaders have not precisely identified the key knowledge that they want pupils to know. Teachers do not always make effective checks on what pupils have learned and remembered. The quality of education in mathematics is strong.

In this subject, teachers take account of what pupils have learned before and what is to come next. They regularly check pupils' understanding and clear up misconceptions as they arise.

Subject leaders are at the early stages of checking how well the curriculum is being implemented.

They are not yet ensuring that all pupils' learning needs are met.

Reading is given the upmost priority. Leaders ensure that pupils have access to a wide range of literature so that they develop a deeper understanding of the school's curriculum.

Leaders have designed an early reading programme. Most reading books are well matched to pupils' abilities. Staff have regular support to understand how to deliver this reading programme.

This enables pupils to learn to read quickly and efficiently. When pupils fall behind, teachers provide support to enable them to catch up quickly.

Pupils with SEND are included in all aspects of school life.

Leaders seek to ensure that they provide external agency support where needed. However, the targets on pupils' personal plans are not always precise. Sometimes, the targets do not link to the specific learning needs of the pupil.

Some pupils with SEND do not learn as well as they could. Leaders are aware that this is an area for development.

The early years is a strength of the school.

Teachers have ensured that all pupils are well supported in their early development. For example, leaders have developed a 'Cycling Superstars' scheme so that children can learn to ride a bicycle without stabilisers. Adults in the early years understand the needs of the children well.

The early years learning environment has recently been redeveloped. It is purposeful and supports children in making a strong start to their education.

Leaders have ensured that the school's behaviour procedures are clearly understood by all.

Pupils that need additional support receive help from specialists. This is having a positive impact. Pupils' behaviour is good.

Leaders seek to identify the barriers that affect pupil attendance and punctuality. They support families to find ways to help their child come to school. This has had some impact for some pupils.

However, there remains a group of pupils whose attendance and persistent absenteeism is of concern, particularly in key stage 1.

Leaders ensure that the curriculum for personal development helps pupils to learn about different communities and faiths. Pupils learn how to stay safe online.

They understand the importance of being physically and mentally healthy. They learn about healthy and safe relationships. Pupils gain many opportunities to learn beyond the school curriculum.

Staff enjoy working at this school. They appreciate the rapid improvements made in pupils' behaviour and in the development of the school's curriculum. Leaders responsible for governance make checks on staff workload.

However, they do not have a clear understanding of the education provided for the most disadvantaged pupils in school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff know how to identify and report concerns for pupils who may be at risk of harm.

Leaders provide regular training to help staff understand different safeguarding concerns. Leaders maintain records that help them to understand all the needs of their pupils. They act quickly and work alongside other agencies to provide pupils with the support they need.

They ensure they develop strong relationships with families.

Teachers ensure pupils understand who their trusted adults in school are. Pupils know how to report things that make them feel uncomfortable.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The curriculum is not yet coherently planned and sequenced in some subjects. This does not help pupils remember the school's curriculum in a well-structured or coherent way. Leaders need to ensure that all subjects are carefully planned and sequenced.

They must ensure that the school's curriculum clearly identifies the important knowledge that leaders want pupils to learn. ? Subject leaders are in the early stages of checking how well the curriculum is being implemented. As a result, they are not yet identifying precisely what is going well and what actions are needed to improve the delivery of the curriculum further.

Subject leaders must have the necessary support and expertise to improve their understanding of subject leadership. They must ensure that the school's curriculum is being implemented consistently and well. ? Not all staff ensure that pupils with SEND receive a curriculum that is well matched to their needs.

Leaders have not ensured that the targets on the plans for pupils with SEND help them to know more of the curriculum. This slows down their learning. Leaders must ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of the graduated response.

They should ensure that teachers have the knowledge and expertise of the school's curriculum so that pupils with SEND know and remember more over time. ? Rates of persistent absenteeism, although improving, are still too high, particularly for the most vulnerable pupils in school. Some pupils miss too much of the curriculum.

This is leading to gaps in their knowledge. Leaders should continue to ensure that the strategies they use to support pupils' attendance help overcome any barriers that they face. They should make sure that pupils' attendance continues to improve, especially for pupils in key stage 1.

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