Buxworth Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The pupils at Buxworth Primary School live and breathe 'Project 25'.

As one pupil told inspectors: 'It's great here because of our values – these are the things you need by the time you're 25. It tells us how to be successful adults.' Leaders have involved the local community in setting the 10 parts of this ambitious vision.'

Project 25' is made up of respect, resilience, friendship, thankfulness, trust, compassion, keeping safe, entrepreneurial spirit, being environmentally aware and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).' Pupils are very proud of their 'golden books' in which they record all the work they do on the 'Project 25' values.

Pup...ils enjoy being at school.

They behave well in lessons and in the playground. Every classroom has a coloured chart to encourage the best behaviour and attitudes. Pupils know how to report any worries they might have on their class's 'feelings chart'.

Pupils told inspectors, 'The teachers are always there for us' and 'they always put us first'. Pupils report that bullying does not occur at Buxworth.

Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school.

Along with pupils, staff and governors, they recognise the dedication of the headteacher, and the improvements leaders have brought about.

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

The school's curriculum has been planned in a logical way. All subjects begin in the early years and progress through to Year 6.

This means that pupils add step by step to the knowledge and skills that they have learned before. Developing pupils' vocabulary is an important part of the curriculum at Buxworth. Pupils express themselves using precise, technical language.

In science, for instance, a Year 5 pupil explained their work on the circulatory system by saying: 'The more exercise you do, the more your heart beats and your pulse increases. This is to get more oxygenated blood around your body to your muscles.' However, in a small number of foundation subjects, some parts of the curriculum are not clear enough about what pupils need to know and remember.

Where this is the case, pupils do not develop a deep understanding of what they are learning.

Teachers present information clearly. They revisit the things that have been taught in previous lessons.

This helps pupils remember and connect important knowledge. In science, for example, pupils explain how their work on the circulatory system follows on from learning about digestion and absorbing nutrients into the blood. Teachers make changes to their lessons so that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn the same things as their classmates.

The leader responsible for pupils with SEND knows the needs of these pupils well.

Children begin learning to read as soon as they start school. Phonics is taught consistently well by all adults.

All staff have a clear understanding of the school's phonics scheme. They know what pupils should be able to do week by week.Teachers ensure that pupils are given immediate support to keep up if they need it.

The books that younger pupils take home to read are matched to the letter sounds they know. Adults model reading fluently to pupils. This is helpful for pupils who have to sound words out to read them.

They get to hear what the sentence should sound like and then re-read it fluently for themselves.

Leaders make the most of the school's surroundings by running outdoor education sessions. Pupils see the benefit in this.

One pupil commented: 'We have forest schools – we build dens, light fires, and cook. It challenges us and teaches us how to do things safely.' There are many opportunities for pupils to be physically active before, during and after the school day.

As well as several sports clubs, pupils can play in team events against other schools. The school's trophy cabinet takes pride of place in the entrance hall. In addition, pupils can take on a range of leadership responsibilities.

These include being sports leaders, house captains, prefects, school councillors and High Peak councillors.

Teachers make links to 'Project 25' throughout the curriculum. However, while this means that pupils have a clear understanding of their school's values, they are far less knowledgeable about British values and matters of equality.

The headteacher provides enthusiastic and motivating leadership. Subject leaders value the support and guidance they have been given to develop their curriculums. Staff appreciate the time they are given to make changes and bring about improvements.

As one teacher commented: 'The headteacher is so positive, and he keeps our morale up. We're a team here.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure that pupils' welfare is at the forefront of everyone's mind. Governors understand the vital importance of safeguarding. They told inspectors, 'If a child is safe, they make progress – they're safe here.'

Governors make sure their training is up to date. They carry out frequent checks to make sure their safeguarding policy is implemented by staff. Staff are knowledgeable about safeguarding issues.

They know how to report any concerns they may have. Record-keeping is detailed and accurate. Leaders work well with other agencies so that pupils get the support they need promptly.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a small number of foundation subjects, curriculum thinking is not as clear as it needs to be. This means that pupils do not reliably develop a deep understanding in these subjects. Leaders need to continue to refine their curriculum thinking so the key knowledge that pupils need to remember is precisely defined and checked in all subjects.

• Pupils do not have an age-appropriate understanding of fundamental British values or protected characteristics. This means that when they leave primary school, they are not as prepared as they need to be for the next stage of their lives and future learning. Through their approach to the curriculum and pupils' wider development, leaders should ensure that pupils acquire the knowledge they need about British values and equality.

Also at this postcode