Burnham Market Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy at this welcoming and friendly school.

The school fulfils its vision of 'local memories, broadening horizons' well. Pupils contribute significantly to the life of their local community. They follow a broad and balanced curriculum that teaches them about the wider world.

Pupils enjoy the extensive range of clubs available that are open to all.

Pupils behave well in and out of lessons. There is a calm and orderly environment around school.

Pupils are kind and respectful. They learn to recognise their emotions and think about how their actions affect others.

The school has high expectations for pupils' academic success.
.../>Pupils achieve well across the curriculum. Learning in subjects such as music, physical education, computing and drama is particularly strong. Pupils also get to learn moviemaking to a high standard.

The school supports pupils very well, both academically and pastorally. This is especially true for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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

The school has identified the knowledge that pupils should learn, and when they should learn it, in each subject.

The curriculum is organised well for teaching mixed-age classes. For example, in computing, when pupils are designing websites, teachers have thought through the different aspects required to be successful in the end project. Pupils' knowledge across many subjects deepens over time because of teachers' expertise in a wide range of subjects.

There are some gaps in pupils' learning where staff do not ensure that the 'sticky' knowledge they want pupils to learn is secure. This happens when pupils do not have sufficient opportunities to practise and embed new learning so that they remember it easily.

Reading is a priority.

Children get off to a great start in the early years. They thrive in a language-rich environment, where much curriculum planning is built around stories. Teachers read stories to pupils and there are regular visits to the school by professional authors.

Children start learning how to read as soon as they start Reception. All adults follow the school's phonics programme. Most pupils quickly learn to read.

There are, however, some inconsistencies in the quality of phonics teaching. Some pupils do not always practise their sounds enough and, occasionally, staff do not correct them when they make mistakes. This slows some pupils' progress with reading.

Staff are quick to identify pupils with SEND. This begins in the early years, where children with speech and language difficulties receive extra support. The school makes sure that teachers meet pupils' individual needs by adapting lessons or providing extra support.

As a result, pupils with SEND make strong progress.

Most pupils attend regularly. For those who find this more difficult, the school provides a wide range of help.

Leaders work hard to understand, and address, the causes behind any absence. As a result, previously low attendance has now improved.

The school prioritises pupils' well-being.

Pupils learn how to stay healthy. For example, they enjoy growing fruit and vegetables which they then cook as they learn about healthy meals. Older pupils play well with younger ones and take on many responsibilities such as reading to others, helping them with their computing and ensuring mealtimes go well.

Pupils' wider development is a strength of the school. All staff have a strong commitment to ensuring that pupils have an enriched curriculum. Opportunities to engage in additional arts, music, sports, drama and moviemaking are vast.

Pupils get extensive opportunities to work alongside adults with a national reputation such as West End performers and published authors. Pupils can perform in front of a wide range of audiences. They are highly engaged with the local community, raising money for charity, appearing in festivals and producing art shows that are presented as a gallery in the town.

Trustees and governors work very well together. Governors regularly visit the school to see how well things are working. The trust provides considerable support through partnership activities with other schools.

This has helped many staff improve their subject knowledge. Staff feel well supported and valued.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some staff do not always teach the phonics curriculum consistently well. As a result, some pupils do not learn phonics as quickly as they could. The school should ensure that all teachers have the necessary skills to support pupils in their phonics learning.

• In some subjects, teachers do not use assessment information well enough to identify some older pupils' misconceptions or gaps in their knowledge. As a result, on occasion, these pupils do not learn as well as they should. The school should help staff check pupils' understanding carefully and ensure that all pupils know and remember the key learning identified in the curriculum plans.

Also at this postcode