Elm Hall Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils who attend this school are happy. They enjoy coming to school because their teachers make learning fun.

Pupils appreciate the learning opportunities that their teachers provide. Pupils work hard and, in most subjects, meet the high expectations that staff have of them.

The school is a calm environment in which pupils thrive.

Pupils have positive reminders to support them making the right choices. The school values are an important learning opportunity for pupils. Pupils and adults have strong relationships throughout the school.

Every pupil has someone that they can go to if needed. Pupils feel safe and supported in school.

Pupils enj...oy the variety of roles and responsibilities that they have on offer.

Subject Ambassadors work with pupils and teachers and put forward their own ideas to help make each subject enjoyable, interesting and relevant. Some older pupils represent the school at trust-led events. The pupils share ideas about projects they have completed in their school so that they can learn from each other and gain new ideas for projects at their own school.

Pupils develop their confidence and independence through these roles.

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

The school ensures pupils learn a wide range of subjects. In each subject, the important knowledge and vocabulary are clearly identified.

The school sets out how pupils develop year by year, starting in the early years. However, in a few subjects, staff do not check that pupils have a secure knowledge of what they have learned before they move pupils on to new learning. This means pupils do not achieve as well as they could in all subjects.

Reading is well taught throughout the school. The school has chosen a phonics scheme, which staff follow precisely and consistently. Staff constantly check that pupils are remembering what they have learned.

If pupils need extra help to keep up, support is put in place swiftly. The books that pupils read are well matched to their stage of learning to read. Consequently, most pupils learn to read well.

Pupils develop a love of reading due to the exposure they have to rich texts. The school provides opportunities for pupils to enjoy texts, such as sharing a class novel, visiting the school library, being quizzed on books and sharing their favourite authors. As a result, pupils aspire to read a million words and attend the millionaire's tea party.

In early years, the children get off to a flying start due to the preparation that takes place before they begin. Adults provide carefully chosen activities that motivate and engage children. As a result, children remember what they are learning and extend this knowledge even further.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are extremely well supported. Staff identify pupils' needs quickly so that they can get the right support. The school works well with external agencies and ensures that pupils get the support they need.

Pupils with SEND can access the curriculum and make progress due to the adaptations that staff make for them.

Pupils respond well to staff's high expectations of behaviour. Staff ensure that pupils know and understand the rules and routines of the school, and this starts in the early years.

Consequently, pupils behave well in and out of lessons. Pupils who find it harder to manage their behaviour are well supported by the school with effective strategies.

The school's work to support pupils' personal development is a particular strength.

The school uses enrichment days to develop the attitudes of believing, growing, owning, respecting and collaborating every half term. A recent example of this was based around 'collaboration'. Pupils were able to successfully work together, talking positively about what they achieved and being respectful to each other.

The inspiration project ensures every class has a prominent person's name. Pupils have detailed knowledge of these people and what they achieved. This inspires pupils to believe that they can achieve great things too.

The school is a calm and positive environment for staff to work in. Staff are very well supported, particularly with their professional development, which has ensured a more consistent approach throughout the school. The school is an integral part of the trust.

Support networks are set up between schools to work together and share ideas.

Parents value the community feel that the school has and how they are supported with their children's learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few subjects, teachers do not ensure pupils are secure in understanding important subject knowledge before they move on to learning something new. As a result, pupils do not achieve as well as they could in all curriculum areas. The school should ensure that teachers check what pupils know before they move pupils on, so pupils achieve well in all subject areas.

Also at this postcode