Bushmead Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud to be part of this welcoming, inclusive school.

Throughout the school, relationships are kind. In the early years, children learn to take turns and listen to each other. As pupils move through the school, they learn about and celebrate the diversity of their community.

Pupils share the ambitions of their teachers to achieve well. Right from the start, in the early years, children begin to understand the school values such as resilience and perseverance. These values are threaded through lessons and extra-curricular activities.

As a result, pupils settle quickly to the tasks that are set for them. They cooperate well and keep trying, even when... things are tricky.

Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school.

Lessons run smoothly because pupils are familiar with school routines and expectations. Breaktimes are calm and friendly. There is plenty of space for conversations and to use the play equipment.

Some pupils relax and read together or browse in the library. 'Playground Pals' help younger children to play games together successfully. Pupils are confident that teachers address and stop any incidences of unkind behaviour or bullying.

Clubs such as choir and cricket enable the pupils who attend to develop their interests and talents.

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

Leaders are ambitious for pupils to achieve well. They have developed a curriculum that carefully considers what pupils need to know and understand.

This starts in the early years. The curriculum has been planned so that pupils can revisit and build on previous learning. Teachers regularly check for any gaps in pupils' knowledge and understanding.

Teachers adjust their lessons or provide extra support so that pupils can keep up with what they need to know. Teachers introduce new ideas step by step. They provide additional resources or prompts to make complicated ideas easier for pupils to grasp.

Pupils are given many opportunities to practise skills and become fluent in what they know and can do. Most pupils achieve well and are ready for their next steps in learning. Occasionally, some teachers do not introduce new vocabulary or ideas precisely enough.

When this happens, some pupils do not learn and apply these words or concepts well.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities take part in learning and extra-curricular activities alongside their peers. Leaders work with teachers and external professionals to identify when pupils need help.

Skilful adults put this in place. Leaders provide a wide range of interventions that they choose to run before school and during the day. These give pupils the extra help they need.

Systems to check and adjust this support are well established.

The teaching of phonics and early reading is set out clearly and in a logical way. Staff receive the training they need to put these programmes in place.

From Reception, children apply their developing reading skills by reading texts that give them plenty of practice at just the right level. Most pupils start to read confidently and quickly.

As pupils move through the school, learning focuses on the development of reading fluency and comprehension.

Pupils practise these skills regularly. Pupils enjoy the regular quizzes about their reading and the wide selection of books available to them. Leaders have thoughtfully arranged a core of high-quality, inclusive texts at the heart of the curriculum.

Older pupils appreciate the diverse vocabulary and ideas that they encounter through exploring these books with their teachers.

Leaders and staff communicate their clear expectations and routines for good behaviour from the beginning of the early years. Young children know to share equipment and be considerate of others.

Across the school, pupils show positive attitudes to learning. They settle quickly to tasks and discuss new ideas sensibly. Around the school, behaviour is calm.

Pupils show good manners to adults and each other. While most pupils attend school regularly and punctually, a small group of pupils are absent from school too often. These pupils miss important learning and the opportunities to develop their personal and social skills.

Leaders ensure that pupils are taught about healthy lifestyles and relationships. Pupils learn to be tolerant, respectful members of the school community. Through debates, pupils learn to respect and appropriately challenge different views.

Pupils eagerly take on responsibilities around the school, such as being reading buddies and members of the school council.

Staff appreciate the guidance and support of leaders. They work well as a team to develop their practice and enjoy ongoing professional development.

Governors visit regularly and know the school's work well.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have established a strong culture of safeguarding.

They ensure that all staff are trained to identify and record any concerns effectively. Leaders are tenacious in seeking out and securing any necessary support that is needed for vulnerable pupils and their families.

Leaders carry out and record the appropriate checks on adults in school.

Pupils are taught to recognise and resist any safeguarding risks they may encounter beyond the school. They learn to share any worries with a trusted adult.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few subjects, the teaching team is not consistently clear when introducing new subject vocabulary or concepts.

When this happens, some opportunities to check, embed and extend pupils' learning are missed. Leaders need to provide training and support so that all staff know how to teach new learning precisely and securely. ? A few pupils miss too much time in school.

As a result, they do not learn as well as they should. Additionally, they do not benefit from the wealth of wider opportunities provided by the school. Leaders must continue to work with these pupils and their families to ensure that all pupils attend school regularly and arrive on time.