Barrowby Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This school enables pupils to 'let their light shine'. Pupils enjoy coming to school and describe it is a special place.

They told inspectors that 'everyone has the right to feel happy, valued and loved, including staff, children and visitors'.

The school has high expectations for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils achieve very well.

They develop their resilience. One pupil captured the school's culture and said, 'If you put “yet” at the end of any sentence that starts with I cannot, it changes everything.'

Parents and carers almost unanimously support the school.

One parent reflected t...he views of many when saying, 'staff care deeply and are invested in each and every child's learning journey, both educationally and spiritually'.

Pupils say their voices are heard. They feel empowered to have an impact on school life through the many leadership opportunities that staff provide.

Pupils take up a wide range of roles, including in the school council, as environmental officers and as members of the fundraising committee. They take part in a legacy project before they leave the school through which they help to bring about improvements to pupils' experiences.

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

The curriculum is broad, ambitious and inspiring.

The school has carefully designed this curriculum so that pupils build their knowledge exceptionally well in all subjects. This starts in the early years where the curriculum provides precise guidance about what to teach and when. Children benefit from carefully planned opportunities to practise and apply their learning independently.

Children are very well prepared for key stage 1.

Teachers are experts in the subjects they teach. They check pupils' understanding regularly and skilfully address any misconceptions.

Teachers help pupils to think in complex ways, including about how to design and carry out scientific experiments and how to discover what happened in the past using historical sources. In the early years, staff help children to use a range of sophisticated subject-specific language. For example, when learning about the physical attributes of birds.

Pupils recall and connect their learning confidently. They can compare hierarchies across various historical civilisations. Pupils are inspired by great artists such as Frida Kahlo and Yayoi Kusama.

They develop their artistic skills and their ability to express themselves. Children in the early years quickly develop their knowledge across the curriculum. They proudly show off their independent writing.

Staff expertly teach children how to read. Children not only quickly become accurate readers, they also develop a love of reading. Pupils regularly practise their reading, both in school and by taking books home which have been carefully matched to their ability to read.

Any pupils at risk of falling behind their peers are identified quickly and provided with personalised support so that they catch up.Pupils with SEND have their needs identified promptly. Staff know pupils well and provide them with effective and bespoke support.

As a result, pupils with SEND achieve very well. The school monitors the provision for pupils with SEND closely to ensure that no pupil is left behind academically or left out of school life.

Pupils' behaviour is exceptional.

They are determined to do their best each and every day. This begins in the early years, where children are focused on their learning and resilient in the face of challenges. Pupils' attendance is high.

They are invited to contribute to the life of the school and take pleasure in doing so.

The provision for pupils' personal development is exemplary. The school has provided an ambitious wider offer which fosters pupils' interests across sport, music and the arts.

Pupils take up these opportunities. They develop their confidence and broaden their horizons. Pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain.

They have a deep understanding of the relevance and importance of fundamental British values and protected characteristics. Pupils learn about faiths and beliefs which are different from their own. They respectfully discuss and compare different religious views and practices.

The school is determined to consistently evolve and improve. Each aspect of the school's provision is under constant review. As a result, the school takes swift and effective action to develop the quality of the school's provision, for example by providing training to help staff further improve their teaching of writing.

Staff comment positively on the quality of care they receive in relation to their workload and well-being. They take great pride in working at the school and have pupils' best interests at heart.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.