Blackmore Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

At Blackmore Primary, the mantra, 'be the best you can be', is embraced by everyone. This is seen in the choices pupils make. It is also evident in the commitment made by parents to engage in the life of the school.

Pupils develop high levels of empathy. They are alert to how others around them are feeling and are keen to brighten someone else's day. Due to clear, shared expectations among staff and pupils, learning environments are calm and purposeful.

Pupils feel safe across the school site. Their voices are actively listened to because what they think matters. Pupils understand what bullying is, but they struggle to recall any incident like this.

They are ...certain that adults care and respond quickly to resolve any situation where a pupil might be worried or upset.

Pupils benefit from the opportunity to learn about and discuss core values, such as tolerance for others and respect. They have structured opportunities to develop their leadership abilities.

Older pupils take on important roles such as house captains and school councillors. Through these they contribute to decision-making, such as which after-school clubs should be available. Their inputs and choices influence the school and wider community.

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

Leaders have continued with a clear vision to establish a bold and adventurous curriculum. This provides pupils with the knowledge and experiences they need to be successful, long into their futures.

Teachers have secure expertise about the subjects they teach.

All staff also share a priority to focus on including all pupils and spotting their potential. As a result, lessons are designed that make sure that the new content taught is remembered. Assessment routines are used well.

Teachers spot quickly if there are gaps in what pupils know. Lessons are reshaped accordingly and provide an extra chance to revisit these points. Pupils show particularly effective fluency with their mathematics and English knowledge.

This is because they get regular chances to rehearse the key bits of knowledge that matter most. There are a few foundation subjects in the curriculum that have been more recently revised. In these lessons, pupils need more opportunities to rehearse and recall the new knowledge they are learning.

Staff have a secure understanding of the individual needs that pupils have. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This means pupils with SEND access the same demanding curriculum as their classmates.

Leaders have carefully considered the curriculum for reading. They provide pupils with regular opportunities to learn the basic sounds they need to begin to read.Pupils that struggle are rapidly identified.

Effective extra support is given to help them keep up, including time to read in school. Pupils take home books that include the specific sounds they have recently learned. This means all pupils are given the opportunity to develop confidence with reading.

From the moment children start school, they have meaningful learning opportunities. These tasks help them to explore and become curious. Well-trained adults in the setting use learning and play activities effectively.

They take time to observe and listen to what children are saying. They then challenge children to think deeper. Adults expect children to apply the new knowledge they have recently learned.

Pupils are bold when explaining their acceptance of each other's differences. They are committed to celebrate the diversity in their world, without hesitation. This leads to interactions, both in class and at play, that are highly respectful.

Older pupils expertly lead play activities. They show good understanding for the needs of their younger peers. All pupils benefit from this interaction.

Attending visits and clubs are opportunities available to all pupils. They value these experiences and can describe the benefits. For example, pupils could identify clubs they had attended that inspired them.

They explain how it introduced them to skills they now identify as a talent or life-long interest.

Attitudes to learning are positive and are a focus from the moment pupils start school. Pupils are resilient.

They work well together and use teamwork to tackle challenges in their learning. Through planned activities, pupils learn age-appropriate information that supports longer-term development. This includes knowledge about how they can care for their mental health.

Leaders, including governors have continued to prioritise the experiences of pupils in the school. Staff, pupils, and their families are appreciative of the steadfast commitment of leaders. They can see the impact of leaders' focus on the issues that matter most to pupils, including the quality of education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is an established culture of safeguarding across the school. Pupils are well known to adults, who are alert to pupils' needs and anxieties.

All staff have the expertise they need to keep pupils safe.

Leaders are proactive to ensure that concerns or risks to pupils do not escalate. They have a clear understanding of the guidance and professional support available.

Strong connections with families mean leaders are accessible and trusted. They provide reassurance and signpost parents to appropriate services outside school if needed. Parents value this.

Through lessons and assemblies, pupils gain specific knowledge that contributes to their well-being and personal safety.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• A small number of foundation subjects in the curriculum have been more recently adapted and improved. Currently in these subjects, pupils do not have regular enough opportunities to practise recalling and applying knowledge they are learning.

This leads to some minor variation in what pupils can confidently retrieve and remember. Leaders should continue the work started to ensure that all curriculum plans detail the most important knowledge that pupils should remember and recall fluently. Teachers can then support pupils to consolidate this knowledge in preparation for future learning.