Chorlton Park Primary

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a school where everyone matters. Pupils are known for their individual qualities. They benefit from the kind relationships that they have with each other and with staff.

Pupils are happy. They delight in attending this caring, supportive school.

The school is highly aspirational for pupils.

It wants the very best for pupils' academic success and for their wider development as active, positive citizens. Many pupils meet these high standards. They achieve well.

Pupils are courteous and helpful to other people. They are confident when speaking to visitors. Pupils are incredibly proud of their school.

The school prepares pupils for life ...in modern Britain extremely well. Pupils are taught about fundamental British values and about their rights and responsibilities. They celebrate diversity and warmly welcome others into the school community.

For example, pupils learn about people from a range of cultures and backgrounds. They visit different places of worship and share cultural identity days in school.

Pupils have many opportunities to learn beyond the academic curriculum, such as during residential visits and exciting trips.

They benefit from events that support their future lives, including an 'aspirations week', where they learn about potential career choices.

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

The school has created a highly ambitious curriculum. The small steps of knowledge that pupils learn in most subject curriculums are carefully ordered from the beginning of the early years to the end of Year 6.

With the support and direction of the trust, the school has ensured that staff have the information and expertise to deliver the curriculum effectively. Staff check that pupils are learning well.

The school's provision in the early years is exceptional.

From the moment that children enter the school, they are immersed in a world of learning, imagination and exploration. High-quality and well-designed activities help children to learn extremely well. Communication and language are seamlessly woven into each area of learning.

Skilled staff enhance children's learning by effectively modelling ambitious language. There are no limits placed on children in the early years. As a result, children flourish and are ready for the next stage of learning.

The school's published data for writing in 2023 indicated that some pupils' attainment at the end of Year 6 was significantly below the national average. While pupils typically learn extremely well in most subjects, pupils' foundational knowledge and stamina in writing was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The school has begun to take suitable action to bring about improvement.

It has updated the way in which pupils learn to write starting from the time that children join the early years.However, the school has not gone far enough in identifying the key knowledge that pupils should gain. This means that staff are sometimes unclear about what they should teach to help pupils become competent and accomplished writers.

Reading is at the heart of the school's curriculum. Pupils read books written by a wide range of authors. From the start of the early years, the school places a sharp focus on making sure that children learn to read confidently and fluently.

Pupils who struggle in learning to read are quickly spotted and well supported. Pupils throughout school spoke of their love of reading and their understanding of its high importance.

The school has strategies in place to swiftly identify pupils with SEND.

Pupils are supported to follow the full curriculum alongside their peers. The school works effectively with families and with external professionals to support pupils with complex additional needs well.

The school's programme for personal development is remarkable.

It enhances pupils' talents and interests through a wealth of activities, such as steel pan drumming, gardening, comic and skateboarding clubs. Pupils learn about the local area. They become active members of their community, for example by collecting and donating resources to local food banks.

Pupils share their own opinions during debates. Through their roles as ambassadors, they act as a voice and as role models for others. Pupils have opportunities to learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others.

Pupils are enthusiastic learners who behave sensibly. Children in the early years learn to interact considerately with each other. Pupils are polite and friendly.

They have high levels of attendance. The school works well with pupils and families to successfully address any instances where pupils' attendance begins to decline.

Trustees and members of the local governing board are proud of their roles in supporting and challenging the school.

They are mindful of staff well-being. Staff appreciate the considerate approach taken to distribute workload and to share expertise with colleagues across the trust.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The school's programme for writing does not clearly identify the key information that pupils should learn and how this should be taught. On occasion, the activities that staff choose do not help pupils to learn the important knowledge that they need to become skilled and successful writers. The school should identify the foundational knowledge that pupils should acquire in writing and support staff in developing the expertise to deliver this well.

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