Becontree Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders have developed a highly inclusive culture that ensures everyone is welcome. Pupils and staff are proud of their school and follow their motto of respecting one another. Pupils feel a strong sense of community.

They are happy, safe and enjoy learning.

Staff know pupils very well and have built strong working relationships with them. Leaders have high expectations of all pupils.

The curriculum is ambitious for all, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Pupils are well behaved during lessons and around the school site. They are polite, kind and inquisitive.

In early years, children are taught how to... follow instructions and routines. They play together well and learn how to share and take turns.

Pupils all take part in a range of wider opportunities in school.

Leaders have developed the 'Becontree Top 20' programme, in which are planned experiences for all pupils to take part in each year. These include a visit to a place of worship, raising money for charity and watching a live performance. Pupils also have the opportunity to take on various leadership roles and responsibilities.

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

Leaders ensure that the curriculum is designed to build pupils' knowledge over time. All subjects meet the ambition of the national curriculum. Leaders have developed a curriculum in Reception Year that enables children to learn across all areas of learning successfully.

Teachers have appropriate subject knowledge and present information clearly. However, sometimes they do not consistently identify and clarify pupils' misunderstandings during lessons. This means that on occasions pupils are not fully ready to learn new content and concepts.

In the early years, staff assess children's progress and use this information to plan next steps in their learning. They ensure that assessment is ongoing and considers the unique needs and abilities of each child.

Leaders identify the needs of pupils with SEND effectively.

The support in place for pupils with SEND is exceptional. Highly effective, bespoke and ambitious curricular aims are put in place for all pupils with SEND. Pupils with more complex needs in the specially resourced provision for pupils with SEND are supported by highly skilled staff.

Leaders have placed an emphasis on teaching pupils to read from the very start of the Reception Year. Staff are well trained, which ensures that phonics is taught with a high level of consistency. They identify and support pupils who fall behind the reading programme.

The books that pupils read are well matched to their ability. This enables pupils to read with accuracy, fluency and confidence across the school.

Teachers read to pupils every day.

They read a range of texts, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Staff encourage all pupils to read independently daily. In early years, staff develop children's communication and language skills well.

Pupils have positive attitudes to learning. Systems to support behaviour in classrooms are clear and consistently used by staff. There are a variety of rewards systems used in the school, which pupils value.

In early years, children behave well and concentrate on activities.

Leaders have developed a well-thought-out personal development curriculum. This builds pupils' knowledge of how to stay safe and healthy in an age-appropriate manner.

Leaders have carefully considered the local area when providing pupils with a range of experiences. Pupils attend a range of outings every year and welcome external speakers to the school, including a road safety talk and Roman experience group. Pupils can attend a range of clubs.

These include a choir, various sports, cooking and debating clubs.

Staff are extremely positive about how leaders look after their health and welfare. Leaders minimise workload where possible and provide a number of professional development opportunities for staff.

Leaders have built strong relationships with parents and carers and offer a range of parental workshops. The governing body carries out its role effectively, providing challenge and support to leaders.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff are well trained to identify and report any safeguarding concerns. Leaders have put in place strong systems and safeguarding is viewed as everyone's responsibility. Leaders take swift and appropriate action to any concerns raised.

Staff know the pupils very well. Pupils are taught how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns to a trusted adult. Leaders work effectively with a range of external agencies to provide specialist support for pupils.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Sometimes, teaching does not systematically identify and clarify pupils' misunderstandings well or ensure that pupils are secure in subject-specific vocabulary and knowledge. This means that, on occasions, pupils are not fully ready to learn new content and concepts. The school should develop the expertise of all teachers so that they identify and address any gaps in pupils' understanding swiftly.

Also at this postcode