Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish at this exceptional school where differences between people are valued and nurtured. Pupils feel accepted, loved and respected.

They thrive in this supportive environment. Pupils are happy. They feel cared for and safe.

The school has exceptionally high expectations for all pupils across each area of the curriculum. A culture of excellence is evident. Pupils achieve highly.

Children in the early years are well prepared for key stage 1, while pupils in Year 6 are more than ready for the challenges of the key stage 3 curriculum.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. This is because they know what is expected of them.

Pupils relish th...e array of rewards that they receive for following school rules and working hard.

Pupils spoke enthusiastically about the vast range of trips and the many clubs on offer. These experiences enable pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to discover exciting new interests and undiscovered talents.

Pupils excel in their various roles and responsibilities. These include head pupils, prefects and school councillors. Older pupils are proud to be 'special friends' to children in the early years.

Pupils make a tangible contribution to school life through these roles. Pupils are involved in many projects in the local community, such as litter picking and designing speed awareness signs for the roads. This contributes strongly to pupils' personal development.

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

The school has developed a rich and aspirational curriculum for all pupils, including pupils with SEND. The school is clear about what pupils will learn from the moment they start in the early years through to the end of Year 6. It has meticulously identified the key knowledge that it wants pupils to know, and when this will be taught in each subject.

Pupils with SEND access the same rich and ambitious curriculum as their peers. The school accurately identifies pupils' additional needs. It ensures that pupils with SEND receive the support and wider opportunities that they need to achieve exceptionally well.

Teachers are well supported to help pupils, including children in the early years, to develop a rich body of knowledge. The school makes sure that new learning is introduced at exactly the right time. Teachers take every opportunity to recap and consolidate pupils' learning.

They carefully check for any gaps in pupils' knowledge or misconceptions that they may have. Pupils are able to make connections between their existing knowledge and new learning. As a result, pupils achieve highly.

The school has ensured that reading sits at the heart of the curriculum. Pupils love to read the range of books that are available from the well-stocked library. They enjoy listening to adults enthusiastically read carefully chosen books to them at story times.

The school ensures that the phonics programme is delivered effectively by well-trained staff. The books that pupils read are carefully matched to the sounds that they know. This means children in the early years and pupils in key stage 1 gain secure reading knowledge.

The school puts timely additional support in place for pupils who need it. Pupils quickly become fluent and confident readers as a result.

Pupils' attitudes to learning are overwhelmingly positive.

Children in the early years develop strong learning behaviours. Pupils across the school build on this positive start. Pupils behave exceptionally well.

This means that they can learn without any disruptions.

The school provides an exemplary range of opportunities that enhance pupils' personal development. Pupils, including pupils with SEND, have a broad and rich experience.

They learn about diversity among people and families. Pupils understand the concepts of democracy, respect and tolerance. They understand that rules are there to keep them safe.

Pupils are well prepared for their future lives.

Governors use their expertise to provide the school with effective support and challenge. They are committed to the success of every pupil and check on the school's work to achieve this ambition.

Staff appreciate the steps that the school takes to support their well-being and workload. They appreciate the time given by the school for them to complete any additional work. Staff feel valued and enjoy working at the school.

The school provides detailed guidance for parents and carers on how best to support their children's learning at home. For example, 'stay and play' sessions and workshops about phonics and mathematics help explain how to support learning at home.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.