Greenfield Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud of their school, which sits at the heart of the local community. The school has created an atmosphere where everyone is valued and nurtured.

Pupils are polite and respectful. They warmly welcome new starters, saying, 'They would soon meet lots of nice children who would be their friend.'

The school has high aspirations for all pupils, both academically and socially.

This is reflected in its vision to 'inspire with the joy of lifelong learning'. Pupils enjoy their learning and are inspired to try new things. These include a wealth of wider opportunities from playing the steel pans to Djembe, sewing and gymnastics.

Relationships betwe...en adults and pupils are warm and caring. Pupils behave well and live up to the expectations of being 'ready, respectful and safe'. At breaktimes, they enjoy playing with their friends across the year groups.

Pupils are happy, and they feel safe. They focus on their learning in classrooms. This starts with children in the early years, who listen well and show high levels of self-control.

The school provides opportunities for pupils to develop leadership roles, such as being librarians, well-being leaders and school councillors. Older pupils act as role models to younger pupils, leading activities during social times.

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

The school has created a curriculum that is carefully considered and mapped out.

The school regularly reviews the teaching of the curriculum. This information is used to work with staff so that the delivery of the curriculum can be refined. This is effective and valued by staff.

Staff are confident, and they feel well supported. In most subjects, the curriculum identifies the crucial knowledge and vocabulary that pupils need to learn. This is shared and modelled well by staff in lessons.

In a very small number of subjects, the school is still determining the precise knowledge and vocabulary that pupils need to learn. Pupils do not recall as much of their learning in these subjects.

Reading is a strength in the school.

Pupils enjoy listening to stories and reading from a wide range of books. The school has established an effective phonics programme that children learn from the early years. In the pre-school, children develop their love of books through practical activities.

For example, they loved making fruit smoothies based on 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' story. Pupils learn the sounds and the letters that they represent in a logical order. They use their phonic knowledge to read new and unfamiliar words accurately.

Pupils read from books that contain the sounds that they already know. This helps them to read with confidence and fluency. Any pupils who need extra support with their reading are quickly identified and the help they receive allows them to catch up quickly.

The school is highly inclusive. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported to learn alongside their peers. The school makes appropriate adaptations so that pupils with SEND can access the full curriculum.

The school works well with a range of external specialists and parents and carers to help pupils with SEND achieve well.

Children in the early years get off to a flying start. They quickly learn to follow the well-established routines.

They benefit from an exciting and well-organised learning environment. Children follow familiar routines calmly, making the most of the inspiring activities that are provided to promote their curiosity. Children are happy, confident learners.

Pupils enjoy coming to school and attendance is high. In classrooms, pupils engage and concentrate well. Even the youngest children treat each other with kindness and maturity because they learn to respect each other's differences.

The school ensures that pupils have rich experiences that extend beyond the academic curriculum. Pupils enjoy trips and welcoming visitors into school. They talk positively about their photography projects, 'safe space' club and art projects.

Pupils love to vote in assemblies and debate topical issues. They learn about the importance of keeping healthy and staying safe. Pupils embrace and celebrate the uniqueness of others.

However, while pupils show great respect for difference and diversity, their knowledge of different faiths and religions is limited.

Governance is a strength at the school. They share the same ambitious vision of the school.

There is a shared understanding of how to best check, challenge and celebrate the work of the school. Staff are proud to work at the school. They value the care and consideration given to their workload and well-being.

There is a real 'family feel' at this school. Pupils and staff alike thrive here.

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 very small number of subjects, the precise knowledge and vocabulary that pupils will learn is not as clear as it is in other subjects. This means that some pupils find it difficult to recall their key learning in these subjects. The school should ensure that the precise knowledge is identified in these subjects so that pupils are able to retain and recall key concepts.

• Although pupils learn about and show respect for difference and diversity, some pupils do not have an accurate understanding of different religions and cultures. This limits how well pupils are prepared for life in modern Britain. The school should ensure that the curriculum fully enables pupils to embed their learning about different communities, faiths and beliefs so that they are fully prepared for life in modern Britain.