Beacon Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are excited and enthusiastic to attend Beacon Primary School. They are very proud and openly say they 'love their school'.

They know and appreciate that their school has an environment that is unlike others. The school works hard to ensure that it is an oasis of aspiration, opportunity, curiosity and enthusiasm. In addition, leaders pay serious attention to ensuring pupils develop real-life skills and receive a high-quality education.

Pupils make the most of the excellent education they receive. There are high standards in all subjects. However, it is more than just well-sequenced lessons that pupils benefit from.

The range of experiences on offer to d...evelop pupils' character and broaden their horizons is exemplary. Pupils are exposed to the expectations and rewards of being responsible and fulfilling commitments by, for example, earning, saving and utilising the school bank.

There is a rich menu of wider opportunities to help pupils become well-rounded, healthy, responsible citizens.

School staff go the extra mile to provide these opportunities. Pupils are happy and say they feel safe in school. They know that there is support at hand if they find things difficult or feel concerned.

Pupils say they love learning. They know that expectations are high and enjoy rising to the challenges every day. Consequently, pupils achieve well.

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

The school's curriculum is rich and vibrant. It is meticulously planned and aims to develop a love of learning. The essential knowledge and vocabulary that pupils must learn have been clearly set out so that they build logically over time.

Reading is a high priority. The focus on early reading and developing vocabulary begins as soon as pupils start school. Because of the excellent teaching, young pupils quickly grasp and build on their learning of sounds.

This continues through each key stage. The school promotes reading for pleasure well. For example, the school's radio broadcasts a daily story, and individuals were observed pausing in corridors to listen.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is exceptional. Leaders are meticulous in ensuring pupils receive support. Furthermore, staff regularly liaise with parents and external agencies to ensure that pupils get the right help.

This approach ensures that pupils of all ages make the very best progress, personally and academically.

In the early years, the highly purposeful environment enables children to engage deeply in their learning. Highly skilled staff support exciting and interesting activities.

They model and extend thinking at every opportunity. Adults show genuine respect and interest when engaging in conversation with children. There is a calm atmosphere where pupils engage happily and interact socially with one another.

Leaders have a relentless focus on developing children's early communication skills. Children frequently access a range of stories, songs and rhymes.

The school's empathetic and tenacious approach has led to dramatic improvements in attendance, particularly for pupils who have lower attendance.

Leaders analyse attendance records in detail and take swift action to support pupils to attend.

Pupils' love of learning is evident in lessons, where they are fully engaged. Relationships and routines are well established and pupils follow them independently.

They are confident learners with positive attitudes and the ability to stay focused. Pupils' work enables them to demonstrate their learning. It shows how knowledge builds over time.

Pupils can recall and talk about their learning and feel proud of the high standards they achieve.

Social time on the playground is purposeful and welcoming. It involves pupils taking part in various sports activities or spending time with friends.

The 'mental health heroes' are on hand if individuals need support along the way, and there are options to choose a quiet space if preferred.

The wider curriculum, which develops pupils' life skills, talents and interests, is exceptional. The proactive work of leaders to ensure that the range of opportunities is extensive is evidence of how staff go the extra mile at this school.

These opportunities include 'Beacon Bistro', crown bowls and much more. In addition, pupils benefit from a wide range of education visits.

The school is preparing pupils very well for life in modern Britain.

Pupils know why fundamental British values of democracy and equality are important. They are ambitious for their futures.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.