Croxteth Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils benefit from a school environment that is an oasis of calm.

It is a place where pupils feel cared for. As a result, pupils feel happy and safe. Pupils like school.

They told inspectors that their school is special and that they feel lucky to be part of the community. They flourish academically, socially and emotionally.

Leaders expect the highest standards of behaviour.

Pupils respond positively. Their behaviour is exemplary. This means that pupils are ready to learn.

Incidents of bullying are dealt with swiftly. There is a strong sense of mutual respect across the school.

Leaders and teachers have high expectations for pupil...s' academic success.

Pupils are eager to learn. They work hard and gain a secure body of knowledge across a range of subjects.

Pupils benefit from the exceptionally well-thought-out wider opportunities on offer.

They can choose from a broad range of clubs, including cookery and drama. Pupils are nurtured especially well to make a significant contribution to the life of the school and the wider community. They take on a range of leadership opportunities, such as becoming reading ambassadors or prefects.

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

Leaders, including representatives of the trust, have been highly successful in turning the fortunes of this school around. As a result, pupils enjoy a good quality of education, and they can learn in an environment free from poor behaviour. Pupils emerge as well-rounded young people who are ready for the next stage of their education.

Leaders have designed a curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have thought carefully about the most important knowledge that pupils should learn. Starting in early years, this helps children and pupils to build on what they already know as they progress through the curriculum.

Teachers have secure knowledge of the subjects they teach. From the early years onwards, activities are designed to be well matched to the curriculum. However, in some subjects, teachers do not routinely help pupils to retain key knowledge.

This is because learning is not made as clear as it could be or revisited often enough to make sure that it is embedded in pupils' memories.

Leaders prioritise reading well. They have established a consistent approach to the teaching of phonics across the early years and key stage 1.

Well-trained staff deliver the phonics programme effectively. Pupils who need additional support are quickly identified and are helped to catch up. Leaders ensure that pupils, including those with SEND, read books that are closely matched to the words and sounds they know.

Staff promote a love of reading. Older pupils have benefitted from the school's investment in reading resources. They enjoy choosing new books from a wide range of authors.

Pupils are keen to read at home so that they can be included in the weekly raffle to win a new book. Pupils know that reading is very important for later life.

Leaders are effective at identifying pupils with additional needs.

Staff adapt their delivery of the curriculum so that pupils with SEND learn well.

All pupils, including children in the early years, have very positive attitudes to learning. They listen well in class.

Children in the Nursery and Reception classes cooperate well in their play. Older pupils collaborate and are respectful, taking turns to listen to one another.

The provision to promote pupils' personal development is a strength of the school.

Children in the early years begin to learn about the world around them from the start of their education. They are introduced to values such as respecting differences. Leaders provide well for pupils' physical and mental well-being.

For example, there are support programmes for particularly vulnerable pupils. Pupils appreciate each other's differences because of the way in which they are taught about diversity. They understand how to stay healthy and be safe online.

Pupils develop their understanding of democracy. For example, they take part in debates, and they visit the Houses of Parliament. Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for life in modern Britain.

For instance, leaders ensure that pupils are taught about economic issues and enterprise. Leaders and staff provide an impressive choice of clubs. The uptake of these activities is very high, including for pupils with SEND.

The local academy council has an accurate view of the school's strengths and weaknesses. Members of the council are well supported by trustees. The council and the trust are committed to the school and offer effective support and challenge to leaders.

Senior leaders care about the staff. This results in very high staff morale. Staff attend regular training.

This means that all staff are very well supported. Leaders are mindful of workload, which makes staff feel valued.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders are diligent in their approach to safeguarding. Pupils in need of support are identified well. Leaders ensure that pupils and their families receive the support they need.

There is a sense of family and community at the school, with everyone working together to keep pupils safe.

Staff are knowledgeable and well trained. They have a strong awareness of issues in the locality.

Leaders ensure that pupils know how to keep themselves safe. Pupils trust staff. They know who to approach if they have any worries or concerns.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, teachers do not make key learning clear or revisit it often enough to make sure that pupils have remembered it. This means that pupils sometimes start to learn new concepts when their previous understanding is not secure. Leaders should ensure that teachers are well equipped with strategies to help pupils to revisit and embed their previous learning.