Dovedale Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Dovedale Primary School is a warm and friendly school.

Leaders have high expectations for pupils. The school's value of respect underpins all they do in school, and pupils learn to be part of a community that shows care and respect for themselves and others and the world around them. Leaders have threaded pupils' character development throughout the curriculum, with many opportunities for all pupils to develop leadership skills.

Pupils told inspectors they are 'upstanders' not 'bystanders'.

Staff work closely together to ensure that pupils have a wide range of opportunities to enrich their learning, develop their leadership and broaden their interests beyond ...taught subjects. Pupils enjoy a rich range of clubs and extra-curricular activities and opportunities.

The uptake of these is high.

Pupils are very happy coming to school because they make good friends. Pupils are kind and respectful towards others.

They say that their teachers listen and act on their views. They know that their teachers would deal with any rare instances of bullying immediately. Pupils behave well at the school.

Pupils worked together to develop a school verse which ensures all pupils understand and live the school's values. They know the school verse and pledge to it weekly.

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

Leaders have further developed their curriculum over the last few years, and it is ambitious for all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Leaders have developed a well-sequenced curriculum, which builds from the early years through to Year 6. Leaders and teachers check regularly to see how much pupils remember about what they have learned. Leaders know their subjects well.

They have provided training for teachers. In most cases, this is working effectively. However, in a few subjects, leaders have not yet precisely identified the most important knowledge that pupils should know and remember.

Leaders prioritise reading, and as a result, pupils achieve well. Children learn to read as soon as they start the Reception Year. Pupils read books that allow them to practise the sounds they know.

Leaders and teachers regularly check how well pupils are reading. Any pupils falling behind quickly catch up. Older children learn to read with fluency and expression.

They are well equipped with strategies to help them read new words.

Pupils with SEND are well supported. Leaders have a robust system for identifying pupils' needs.

Children in the Reception Year have their needs identified quickly and staff support them skilfully.From the Reception year onwards, children know routines and behave well when playing with their peers. They are developing sustained concentration for when they complete activities.

They enjoy forest school.

Personal development is woven through the curriculum. Leaders map how they develop pupils' interests and talents.

All pupils belong to 'expert groups.' Pupils in the history expert group created a time capsule, and pupils planted trees in the environmental expert group. One pupil stated, 'Everyone has a talent, and this school helps you find it.'

Leaders develop pupils' character through the pupil leadership programme. There are plenty of opportunities for pupils to become involved in leadership. Examples include the school council and anti-bullying ambassadors, mental health champions, play leaders and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) class ambassadors.

Pupils receive training to carry out these roles. They are proud of the roles that they hold. Pupils value their personal, social and health education lessons, stating these teach them to be respectful.

Pupils learn how to be healthy, both physically and mentally. They enjoy Tai Chi and boxercise as part of their well-being Wednesdays. Pupils take part in 'Project Evolve', a weekly online safety lesson.

Pupils are very knowledgeable about fundamental British values. Pupils know why British values are important and see keeping to these as part of a life skill which they will take them through to adulthood. They learn about different faiths through their religious education curriculum.

Pupils respect and celebrate difference.

The school has a pastoral base to support the emotional and mental well-being of pupils as well as their personal development. Qualified staff run programmes for pupils and families.

Governors know the school well. They hold leaders to account by monitoring the school's priorities and making effective use of the expertise across the trust. Representatives of the trust share an ambitious vision for the school.

They offer support and robust challenge to leaders. Governors and trustees fulfil their statutory duties effectively. Staff are overwhelmingly positive about leaders.

Leaders work hard to ensure staff workload is manageable. Staff say that they feel valued by leaders.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders, including governors and trustees, ensure that keeping pupils safe is a priority. Staff know how to identify and report concerns. Leaders manage concerns swiftly so that pupils receive the support that they need as quickly as possible.

Leaders ensure that meticulous checks are made on all new members of staff.

Pupils know about the online dangers through their weekly Project Evolve lessons. Pupils have many ways to report concerns, including those pupils who are non-verbal or cannot yet write their worries to put in the worry box.

They feel safe and trust adults to deal with their concerns.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few subjects, leaders have not precisely identified the most important knowledge that pupils should know and remember. As a result, teaching does not always make the important knowledge explicit.

This means that not all pupils in these subjects make as much progress as they could. Leaders should continue their work in developing the curriculum so that it identifies the most important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember in all subjects. Leaders should make this knowledge explicit to teachers.

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