Egerton Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Warm, respectful relationships are at the heart of Egerton Primary School.

Pupils are nurtured and thrive during their time at this school. They are proud to be members of their school community. Leaders know pupils and families well.

If bullying happens, staff deal with it effectively. As a result, pupils feel happy and safe.

Pupils and staff follow the school motto and make sure that 'every day matters'.

Pupils do not need to be reminded to maintain the high standards of behaviour that leaders expect. They strive to live up to the school's values, which are threaded through all aspects of school life. Pupils care deeply about each other.

T...hey stand up to any unkindness rather than stand by and let it happen.

Leaders have high expectations of pupils' achievement, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). By the end of Year 6, they are ready for the next stage of their education.

Leaders value pupils' opinions and take on board their suggestions. Pupils relish taking on additional leadership responsibilities. For example, they enjoy becoming happy and safe ambassadors.

Pupils and staff spoke enthusiastically about the link with their partner school in Kenya. This enriches the personal development opportunities offered to pupils

Pupils experience an impressive range of enrichment activities. They contribute wholeheartedly to their local community through a range of links, including singing for local residents.

They enjoy taking part in clubs, including 'try something new' activities. Pupils explained that these activities help them to keep physically and mentally healthy.

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

Leaders have constructed an ambitious and carefully thought out curriculum.

The curriculum excites, engages and promotes learning from the moment that children join the early years until they leave at the end of Year 6. As a result, pupils, including those with SEND, achieve well.

Teachers have a good knowledge of the subjects that they teach.

Leaders ensure that teachers have the resources they need to deliver the curriculum well. In most subjects, teachers use assessment strategies well to establish what pupils know and remember. However, in some subjects, teachers' checks are not clearly focused on the key knowledge pupils need to support their future learning.

This leads to gaps in their learning and prevents pupils from achieving all they could.

Leaders promote a love of reading, which is central to the school's curriculum. Teachers read regularly to their class and choose books to inspire pupils.

Children in the early years look forward to their weekly sessions with their Year 6 reading buddies.

Children start to learn how to recognise sounds and letters through daily phonics lessons as soon as they start in the Reception class. Leaders and teachers make sure that they quickly identify pupils who find reading difficult.

These pupils receive effective support from adults so that they become confident and fluent readers. However, some of the books that pupils read do not match the sounds that they know. This makes it harder for some pupils to practise and consolidate their phonics knowledge.

Leaders provide expert guidance to help staff identify and meet the needs of pupils with SEND. Teachers adapt their delivery of the curriculum well. This enables pupils with SEND to learn alongside their classmates and to access the same curriculum.

The exceptionally calm and purposeful school environment means that pupils learn without interruption. Pupils have very positive attitudes to learning. They are focused and motivated to achieve well.

They take pride in their work and manage their own behaviour extremely well. Pupils are polite, friendly and eager to talk about school life.

The opportunities that leaders provide, both within and beyond the taught curriculum, make a considerable difference to pupils' personal development.

Pupils become well-rounded, active and respectful members of the school community. They are very well prepared to be understanding and empathetic citizens in modern Britain. Pupils think deeply about their own beliefs, experiences and opinions, as well as those of others.

They have a mature and extensive understanding and appreciation of the world and its people. Leaders and staff ensure that pupils' talents and aspirations are celebrated and developed. Staff place great importance on developing pupils' emotional and social well-being.

Pupils experience a wealth of visits, trips and visitors, which further extends their understanding of their contribution to society.

Trustees and governors know the school well. They carry out their statutory roles fully and provide effective support and challenge to leaders.

Leaders at all levels understand the importance of staff well-being. They consider staff workload when making decisions about the school. Staff feel appreciated and valued and, as a result, are proud to work at the school.

Leaders communicate well within the school and local community. Parents and carers hold the school in high regard. They appreciate the care and opportunities provided for their children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have created a strong culture of safeguarding. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and understand their important role in keeping pupils safe.

Staff act promptly to report any concerns that arise. Leaders take appropriate action in a thorough and timely manner. They work well with a range of agencies to support pupils and their families.

Pupils are taught about how to keep themselves safe, including how to manage risks when online. Pupils, and children in the early years, learn about healthy relationships. They know what to do if they have a concern about their safety or well-being.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some of the books that pupils read do not match their phonics knowledge. This prevents them from practising and consolidating what they know so that they can read with confidence and fluency. Leaders should ensure that pupils read books that match the sounds and letters that they know.

• In some subjects, the checks that teachers make on pupils' learning are not clearly focused on the key knowledge that pupils need to know to support their future learning. This leads to gaps in some pupils' learning. Leaders should ensure that teachers' checks in these subjects focus on whether pupils know and remember more of the intended curriculum.