Barnwood Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy learning at this friendly, safe and welcoming school.

The school has created a nurturing environment for pupils and their families. Pupils embrace the school's vision of 'love your neighbour'. They show this by welcoming and valuing everyone for who they are.

Adults are calm, caring and kind. They keep pupils safe and think carefully about how to meet each of their needs. Parents speak highly of the way in which staff get to know each child individually.

The school has high expectations for what all pupils can achieve. Pupils respond well to these expectations. They show an interest in their learning and work hard in class.

Pupils enjoy ...taking part in special events such as science week and world book day.

Pupils behave well. They play happily with each other at breaktimes and lunchtimes.

There are clear school rules. Pupils know, and follow, these well.

The school provides pupils with a diverse range of opportunities to develop their talents and interests.

There are a wide range of clubs. Pupils also contribute to the life of the school in roles such as peer mediators and mini police.

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

Following the previous inspection, the school has responded well to design and implement an ambitious curriculum.

Pupils learn well in most subjects. They talk confidently about their learning, explaining their ideas clearly. However, despite improvements in reading, writing and mathematics, pupils' writing in some areas of the curriculum is not as effective.

Reading is a priority. It is the 'golden thread' that weaves learning together. Pupils learn to read from the moment they start school.

The school has a well-structured phonics programme. The sounds that pupils should know and remember week by week are clearly set out. All staff benefit from the training they receive that enables them to teach phonics well.

They deliver high-quality phonics lessons. Pupils remember the sounds they learn and apply these to new words well. They quickly become confident and fluent readers.

Beyond phonics, the reading curriculum is well organised. Pupils read a wide range of texts, genres and authors. They read frequently and, over time, develop positive attitudes to reading.

Pupils enjoy initiatives such as book club and mystery reader. The school has a strong culture of reading.

Pupils learn well in most of the wider curriculum subjects.

In history, for example, the curriculum identifies the important knowledge and skills that pupils need to know and when, from the early years to Year 6. Teachers build pupils' historical knowledge well. As a result, pupils confidently recall their knowledge.

Where the school's curriculum is less effective, the important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember is not identified as precisely. As a result, pupils' knowledge is less secure. This hampers the progress that some pupils make.

Pupils are enthusiastic mathematicians and progress well through the curriculum. Teachers have the expertise they need to implement the curriculum effectively. The mathematics curriculum is coherently planned.

Children in the early years routinely practice and develop their mathematical learning. Teachers help pupils to remember their learning through regular 'flashbacks' at the start of each lesson. As a result, as pupils move through the school, they confidently apply their mathematical knowledge and skills when solving more complex problems.

The school identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively. Teachers carefully adapt learning to meet the needs of these pupils. The school works closely with parents and external agencies to ensure that pupils with SEND receive the help they need.

As a result, these pupils learn the same curriculum as their peers.

Pupils typically behave well and enjoy learning. They enjoy working together with each other.

The school promotes pupils' personal development well. Staff provide pupils with a range of leadership responsibilities. Pupils vote for the school council and house captains, teaching them about the democratic process.

School librarians help to promote a love of reading. Teachers enhance learning through visitors to the school and special events. Pupils are keen to attend the broad range of clubs on offer, including a range of sports, art and dance.

Staff ensure that these clubs are accessible to all pupils.

Governors are extremely knowledgeable about the school. They use their experience effectively to challenge and support leaders.

Governors share the school's ambitions for pupils' learning and care. Staff appreciate the way in which the school considers their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, the school has not made clear enough the important knowledge it wants pupils to learn. As a result, pupils do not build their knowledge securely. The school needs to ensure that all subjects identify the knowledge that pupils must learn and when.

• Pupils do not have regular opportunities to apply their writing skills across the curriculum. This means these pupils do not develop their writing skills well enough. The school should ensure that pupils learn and apply their writing skills confidently and securely across the curriculum.

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