Barons Court Primary School and Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Barons Court Primary School and Nursery continues to be an outstanding school.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils excel at Barons Court.

They play a full part in the life of the school. As a result, they become confident and creative young people by the time they leave in Year 6. Lessons are interesting and make pupils think hard.

They are excited about learning new things and love coming to school.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They have great empathy for those around them.

Because adults have such high expectations of pupils, the environment is calm and purposeful, allowing for mutual respect for all. Pupils work hard in lessons and achieve... exceptionally well.

Pupils are exceptionally well cared for.

They feel safe in school. Their views and opinions are listened to and valued. Pupils know what bullying is, although it happens very rarely.

They are confident that if they were concerned about anything an adult will help them resolve the issue.

Pupils benefit greatly from the opportunity to discuss and debate core values. Their leadership skills are nurtured through a range of roles, including school councillor, eco- councillor and mentoring younger pupils.

They have a say in what happens in school.

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

Leaders have built on the outstanding strengths of the school. They have ensured that the school continues to provide an excellent quality of education in all respects.

The curriculum sets out a journey of learning for pupils. Leaders are precise about what pupils need to know and remember in each subject. Teachers plan activities that meet the needs of individual pupils.

Pupils follow the rich and exciting curriculum extremely well.Teachers have expert knowledge in the subjects they teach. This means they quickly identify and correct any mistakes pupils make.

Pupils' learning is reinforced by structured opportunities for practising, using and recalling knowledge. Teachers are skilled at adapting their learning based on what pupils know and can do. They ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get any help they need to learn alongside their classmates.

Pupils, including pupils with SEND, achieve exceptionally well.

The school honours its commitment to improving the life chances of its community. A single method of teaching reading is securely implemented, reinforcing consistency in approach for all.

Weaker readers catch up quickly because time is given to practise using phonics knowledge and build up fluency. In the early years, adults read to children regularly. They expose children to a richness of language and pronunciation.

When children join in the early years, they benefit from a carefully planned transition to school. This helps them make a great start to school life because they develop positive relationships with their peers and adults, allowing them to develop independence in a safe environment.

Pupils with SEND are catered for as well as their peers.

For example, they are involved in outdoor learning alongside their classmates. This means that pupils learn the necessary health and safety rules, how to communicate, and how to experience leadership and problem-solving while being involved in outdoor learning, including residentials and beach days.

Leaders' aspirational vision is being realised, as staff are able to refine existing strong practices.

Leaders at all levels place pupils at the heart of what they do. This ensures that leaders' actions focus on improvements that are in the pupils' best interests and that make a real difference.

The vast majority of pupils participate in the range of clubs on offer.

Access to music lessons and performance enriches their experiences. Opportunities to perform and compete are plentiful. Pupils are passionate about their environment and proud of the work that adorns the corridors.

The wealth of opportunities for pupils to enrich their personal development allows them to empathise, respect others and show kindness.

Pupils feel safe and happy at school. They enjoy their lessons and activities and are positive about the special events at school.

Parents are very supportive of the school.They value the effective advice and strategies that leaders provide to enhance their children's learning.

Governors have a detailed knowledge of the work of the school.

They are diligent in their work and hold leaders to account well for the quality of education. Staff are very proud of their school and appreciate the positive steps that leaders have taken to support their well-being and lessen their workload.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

A strong culture of safeguarding permeates the school. Staff know their role and responsibilities to keep pupils safe. Their regular training means they are alert to potential signs of harm.

Staff raise concerns promptly. Leaders act on these quickly. They work with external agencies, when necessary, to ensure that pupils and their families get timely and appropriate support.

Leaders complete all required checks on staff before they start work in school. Governors play a key role in monitoring the safeguarding practices across the school.

The curriculum ensures that pupils understand risks, including those associated with online games and social media.

Background

When we have judged a school to be outstanding, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains outstanding. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection.

However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection, which is carried out under section 5 of the Act. Usually, this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be outstanding in March 2017