Carleton Green Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are embraced in the warmth of this school. Staff forge strong relationships with them and get to know their families well.

One parent, typifying the views of many, told inspectors that their child 'had thrived' since going to school and cannot wait to arrive there each day. Pupils flourish academically, socially and emotionally.

From the moment that children join the early years, the school's behaviour values are interwoven in all that they do.

Pupils try their best during lessons, by listening carefully and working hard. They respond positively to the school's high expectations for their achievements. Typically, pupils behave and learn well.

...Staff provide pupils with a wealth of experiences that deepen their learning. Classrooms across the school are filled with a purposeful buzz. Academic, musical and sports talents are all valued and celebrated.

Pupils appreciate opportunities to take part in extra-curricular clubs, such as choir and mindfulness club. They enjoy educational visits that help to bring their learning to life. School councillors, prefects and head pupils play an active role in the school.

They organise events and act as a voice for other pupils.

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

In the main, the curriculum for pupils in key stages 1 and 2 has been carefully thought through and is suitably ambitious. In most subjects, the school has organised the curriculum so that pupils' learning builds on what they already know in well-ordered steps.

This supports teachers in designing learning activities that help to increase pupils' knowledge and skills. Pupils achieve well in these subjects. However, in a minority of subjects, the school is still determining the important knowledge that pupils should learn and when this will be taught.

On occasions, this hampers the depth of subject knowledge that some pupils acquire.

Children in the early years benefit from an engaging and well-designed environment. Adults focus on developing children's communication and language skills through effective questioning and strong modelling of ambitious vocabulary.

However, some of the curriculum in the early years does not link children's learning in the Nursery class to that in the Reception class. This hinders how well some children build up new knowledge.

The school develops staff expertise through effective training and support.

This means that staff have the knowledge and confidence to deliver the curriculum effectively. Staff explain new knowledge clearly. Typically, in subjects where the important knowledge that pupils should know is determined, teachers use effective systems to check how well pupils are learning.

This enables teachers to identify and address any area where pupils are less secure or where they have developed misconceptions in their learning.

The school is fastidious in identifying the additional needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) quickly and accurately. Staff provide appropriate support and make adaptations during lessons, so that these pupils can access the full curriculum.

As a result, pupils with SEND progress well through the curriculum.

The school is relentless in teaching pupils to read. Staff encourage pupils to read regularly for pleasure.

Pupils benefit from studying a variety of stories and texts, many of which they remember and recount. Staff plan progressive early reading lessons using the school's phonics programme. They receive regular training and have the expertise that they need to teach early reading well.

The school makes sure that pupils who need extra help receive all the support they require. As a result, the majority of pupils become fluent readers in readiness for key stage 2.

Pupils enjoy coming to school and attendance is high.

In classrooms, pupils engage and concentrate well. Even the youngest children treat each other with kindness and maturity because they are taught to respect each other's differences.

The school has thought carefully about the wider opportunities that it provides for pupils.

The school uses the 'Carleton Code' to introduce values, such as kindness, responsibility and trustworthiness. These morals also help pupils to understand how to stay physically and emotionally well. Pupils take on leadership roles, including being part of the school council, which help them to learn about being a responsible citizen.

They speak proudly about the positive contributions that they make to the school and the wider community.

Governors fulfil their roles well. They work collectively with the school to ensure that ongoing development is purposeful and focused on improving the quality of education that pupils receive.

Staff are extremely positive about working here. The school supports them to fulfil their roles well. Staff appreciate the consideration that is given to their well-being through initiatives, such as counselling if this is needed.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, the school is still determining the precise knowledge that pupils should learn and when this should happen. Occasionally, this prevents some pupils from developing a deep and rich body of subject knowledge.

The school should refine its curriculum thinking in these subjects so that staff are clear about the precise knowledge that pupils should know and remember. ? Some of the curriculum in the early years does not link children's learning in the Nursery class to that in the Reception class. This means that some of the children's key knowledge does not build up as effectively as it could.

The school should finalise its curriculum thinking in the early years so that children are even better prepared for their learning in Reception