Britannia Village Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy and thrive in this popular school.

They feel proud to be a part of this diverse school community. Pupils here are safe and cared for. They can name adults who will listen and help them if they have a worry or concern.

The school has high ambitions for what pupils can achieve. Pupils study a broad range of subjects. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive strong support to access the curriculum alongside their peers.

Most pupils achieve at age expectations and are well prepared for their next stage of learning.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They focus intently in lessons.

Pupils behave equal...ly well at lunchtimes and in the playground. Pupils are polite and courteous to adults. They take responsibilities seriously, such as serving on school council, sports ambassadors and as 'digi-champions'.

The school has ensured that pupils experience new opportunities both within and beyond the local community. Pupils compete in a wide range of sporting events and love to sing with other schools. Older pupils eagerly anticipate their residential trips in the summer term.

These experiences broaden pupils' horizons and develop their confidence and independence.

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

The school has designed an ambitious curriculum that sets out the key knowledge and skills pupils need to learn from an early age. They produce work to a high standard, including in art and design.

Pupils' knowledge and skills in computing are of an equally high standard. Typically, subject leadership has a strong oversight of the curriculum. Some leadership of subjects is newer and has not had time to monitor fully the impact of their plans on pupils' outcomes.

Careful thought has been given to how knowledge is sequenced and assessed to help pupils build on previous learning. In mathematics, children in Reception confidently used ten frames to name and make different numbers. Staff supported children to use different vocabulary confidently to explain the difference between odd and even numbers.

As a result, they are well prepared for mathematics in Year 1.

School leaders place a high priority on reading. In early years, children experience a rich variety of stories and rhymes.

Older pupils relish being challenged to broaden the range of authors they have read. They enjoy studying the plays and texts of Shakespeare. Children learn phonics as soon as they start school.

Teachers check pupils' phonics knowledge regularly. They use this information to provide additional support for those pupils who need to catch up. However, some teaching is not consistently in line with how leaders intend the programme to be delivered.

This limits some pupils' ability to read and write as well or as quickly as they could.

The school provides carefully planned support for pupils with SEND. Staff receive appropriate training to provide the right extra help and make adaptations.

This allows all pupils to successfully access the full curriculum. The learning of children with SEND is closely monitored right from the early years. Pupils with SEND achieve well.

Pupils love learning and are highly motivated in lessons. Behaviour is exemplary across the school. As a result, pupils are always ready to learn.

Children in early years maintain high levels of concentration and engagement. They work well independently or together in small groups. Pupils move around the school with care.

They share toys and games with each other at playtimes to ensure everyone feels included.

The school has a rich programme for pupils' personal development. Pupils learn about how to look after their physical and mental health as soon as they start in the school.

Opportunities to participate in sports are exceptional. The school plans a range of visits and activities which support pupils' learning in meaningful ways. Pupils talk enthusiastically about visits, including to the theatre.

Attendance is high. Leaders are robust in ensuring that pupils attend school regularly and are on time. They ensure that pupils' welfare is closely monitored, so that action can be taken if there are any concerns.

Most staff appreciate the time given to support their workload and well-being. Staff, including those at the start of their careers, consider that leaders are approachable. Trustees are well informed and ensure that the school has a clear vision and strategy.

Parents and carers are mostly positive about the school and the pastoral care provided for their children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The quality of subject leadership and monitoring is developing in some areas of the school's work.

The school has not been able to ensure that all staff, including support staff, have the knowledge and expertise required to implement the ambitious curriculum. This means pupils' learning does not sometimes develop as effectively as it could in all areas of the curriculum. The school should support subject leaders further so that they are able to check what is working well and what needs further development so that the curriculum aims are fully realised.