Gilmorton Chandler Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud of their friendly and caring school. They enjoy school, like their teachers and talk with enjoyment about their learning in different subjects.

Pupils care for and respect each other.

They demonstrate the school value, 'treat others as you wish to be treated'. They do this whether raising funds for charities or playing together on the playground.

Pupils enjoy the lunch, sports and other clubs they can go to.

They learn to be responsible and the importance of the community through events such as the grandparents' gardening day. They were excited to tell us about their roles as house captains, school councillors, eco-warriors and ambas...sadors for mathematics and science.

Pupils and staff have strong relationships.

Pupils behave well in class and at breaktimes and lunchtimes. They say they feel and are kept safe. Bullying is very rare, and pupils are confident they could talk to adults if they had a worry or concern.

Pupils try hard in their lessons and staff expect all pupils to do their best. Pupils who struggle are given support. All pupils achieve well.

However, some pupils are not helped as well as they could be to be fluent readers.

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

Leaders and staff have worked hard to review and improve the school's curriculum. Staff are determined to do their very best for all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged.

They provide an interesting and ambitious curriculum.

Most subjects are planned well and skilfully taught. Staff make sure pupils learn the right knowledge in the right order.

They revisit areas of learning to help pupils remember the most important things. This is particularly strong in mathematics. Pupils told us about the work in their books and how they had developed their understanding over time.

Pupils achieve well in mathematics.

Staff have identified the important things they want pupils to learn and know by the end of the year in science and writing. Pupils achieve very well in science.

The quality of pupils' writing in English is strong in all year groups. Pupils told us how their work on adjectives helped them to write a description of Macbeth. Pupils take pride in their work.

Not all pupils use their writing skills and knowledge in all subjects across the curriculum. Staff are determined that pupils in all classes learn new vocabulary in different subjects. On occasion, staff need to be more careful in checking that pupils understand new words so that they can remember and use them in their work.

Overall, pupils learn to read well. Pupils are enthusiastic about reading and enjoy selecting books from the library. Pupils who need it are given extra support to help them catch up.

The school 'book talk' sessions help pupils widen the types of books they want to read. When teaching early reading and phonics, staff sometimes use different approaches. Sometimes, books are not matched well to the sounds pupils know.

This means pupils do not do quite as well as they could.

Children in the early years make a strong start. Leaders check children's learning and development carefully and focus on areas children are less confident with.

Staff support any children who need extra help. Staff work hard to help children develop their speech and vocabulary, as well as their physical development. Children show enjoyment and perseverance in their learning and social times.

In work linked to the book 'Harry and the Dinosaurs', they excitedly looked for dinosaur fossils.

Leaders make sure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well. Staff have received training and leaders check that pupils receive the support they need.

Pupils with SEND achieve well in their learning and personal development.

Pupils' personal development is important in this school. Pupils learn life and social skills well.

Pupils have a 'have a go' attitude and were seen congratulating others when they had done well in lessons. They know why it is important to respect others who have different backgrounds or beliefs to themselves. Staff ensure behaviour in lessons and around the school is of a high standard.

Pupils are friendly and polite. Pupils have positive attitudes, and this helps them learn well.

The new senior leadership team and experienced middle leaders bring about improvements very well.

They are supported well by the trust and the governing body. Curriculum leaders and other staff receive a wide range of training. Staff are proud to work in the school.

Leaders consider staff's workload and well-being when making decisions.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders and governors do all they can to ensure that pupils are safe at school.

Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe, including when online.

Staff are trained to identify and report any concerns they may have. When needed, leaders take prompt action to keep pupils safe.

They work well with other agencies to make sure pupils get the help they need. Safeguarding records, including recruitment checks on people working in the school, are thorough. Pupils told the inspectors they feel safe in school.

Parents are very positive about the care their children receive.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Phonics is not planned or taught consistently well. As a result, pupils are not as fluent in their reading or confident reading unfamiliar words as they should be.

Leaders have clear plans to review the planning of phonics and early reading and ensure that all staff have the subject knowledge and expertise to teach phonics well. Leaders and those responsible for governance should ensure that this work is put securely in place. .

Teachers sometimes use vocabulary in lessons that pupils do not fully understand. When this happens, learning is not as effective as it could be. Teachers should check carefully that pupils understand and can use the vocabulary they want them to learn.

. Sometimes, the quality of pupils' writing in some subjects is not as good as it is in their English books. Teachers should ensure that the quality of pupils' writing is high in all subjects.

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