Bramford Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

There has been no change to this school's overall judgement of good as a result of this ungraded (section 8) inspection. However, the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might be outstanding if a graded (section 5) inspection were carried out now.

The school's next inspection will be a graded inspection.

The headteacher of the school is Clare Handley. The school is part of Griffin Schools Trust, which means other people have responsibility for running the school.

The trust is run by the chief executive officer, Anne Powell, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Mike McCreedy. There is also an executive headteacher Lisa Guest, who is responsible for this school an...d two others.

What is it like to attend this school?

The care of pupils is exceptional in this vibrant, well-led school.

Pupils access an engaging, high-quality education. From their different starting points, all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are supported and challenged to do their very best.

The school feels homely.

Staff and pupils talk about being part of the Bramford family. Leaders, staff and the pastoral team wrap a blanket of care around the pupils and their families. High attendance is praiseworthy.

Pupils enjoy coming to school. Their behaviour is exemplary and not a moment of learning is lost.

Pupils are happy at school.

They feel safe and secure. The whole school gets involved in learning beyond the curriculum. These opportunities are excellent.

Pupils benefit from the innovative offer, from music to sports, a gardening club and fundraising for others. Pupils blossom at Bramford Primary School, finding many new talents, interests and skills along the way.

Achievement is high.

This, alongside the extensive range of opportunities, means plenty is happening in this thriving school.

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

The trust, leaders and staff are all committed to pupils achieving the school's aims of 'proud traditions, wide horizons and high achievement'. In this successful school, pupils are put first.

The strong ethos of care and aiming high shines throughout the whole school.

Pupils enjoy living up to the school's high ambitions. They achieve well, both in national tests and in the quality of their work across all subjects.

The school's well-thought-out curriculum enables pupils to build on what they have learned before. From early years to Year 6, pupils deepen their understanding of increasingly complex ideas. The support for pupils with SEND is exemplary.

There are consistently high expectations, and staff adapt learning to ensure everyone can access the curriculum.

Whether they learn quickly or need more support, all pupils learn the intended curriculum. Skilled, trained staff provide the support needed to master early reading through phonics.

From early years, children get off to a rapid start with learning to read. Pupils read widely; their love of reading shines through. Reading corners and reading nooks, brimming with books, are a key feature of school life.

The arts curriculum benefits from experts across the trust. Pupils are inspired by different musicians, and they produce some impressive performances of their work. For example, during the inspection, the Year 5 performance of Macbeth brought together the whole year group with upbeat songs and music.

Pupils spoke eloquently about the whole school Shakespeare project. The Griffin Arts Festival provides pupils with further opportunities to celebrate their learning in music. Subject leaders work collaboratively in school and across the trust.

There is a drive for continual improvement. School staff summed this up when they said we 'give and get', embracing new ideas and reflecting on what is working well for pupils.

The curriculum is enriched with a wide range of visits and events.

These build pupils' cultural capital and help them to learn important life skills. For example, pupils travel to Oxford University to compete in the trust's national sporting finals. Through these opportunities and others, pupils develop their teamwork, confidence and independence.

Parents and carers overwhelmingly praise the trips, visitors and clubs on offer at Bramford Primary School.

There is consistency and fairness in the positive approach to managing pupils' behaviour. Pupils say they behave well because they learn to do this from the start.

Friendly, kind and caring behaviour is the norm. If problems arise, staff are calm and caring in their responses.

Pupils grow as active members of the school community.

They take on leadership roles, perform in monologue competitions and are entrepreneurial, raising money for charities. They learn social responsibility and are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Staff are proud to work at Bramford Primary School.

They say that pupils 'grow into greatness from small beginnings'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good.

This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection, which is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be good in January 2019.