Grimsargh St Michael’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud to attend this school. It is welcoming and friendly.

One pupil's comment, typical of others, was, 'It feels like home.' They say that they feel safe in school and that adults look after them well.

The school has an ambitious curriculum.

It is rich and vibrant and aims to develop a love of learning and the determination to continually improve. Pupils rise to adults' high expectations. By the time that they leave the school, most pupils achieve well across the curriculum.

Pupils behave well. They are focused during lessons. Pupils enjoy active social times together.

They are considerate, take turns when speaking and compliment... each other's strengths.

There is a range of experiences on offer to develop pupils' character and broaden their horizons. The school's motto, 'Let Your Light Shine', is central to the work of this highly inclusive and nurturing community.

Pupils make a valuable difference to their school and local area, such as through their fundraising for international relief charities. They diligently carry out a range of leadership roles, such as school councillors, buddies for younger pupils and librarians.

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

The school has thought carefully about the important information and skills that pupils need.

It has ordered this knowledge from the Reception Year to Year 6, so that pupils build successfully on their previous learning. New knowledge sticks in pupils' memories, and pupils produce work of an increasingly high standard as they progress through the year groups. Pupils are well prepared for the next stage in their education.

For the most part, staff design well-considered lesson activities to deliver the curriculum. They give pupils opportunities to practise and revisit learning, so that any misconceptions can be rectified. Nevertheless, at times, lesson activities do not match the intended curriculum well enough.

On these occasions, some pupils do not make as much progress as they could.

The school prioritises reading. Pupils love to share the humorous stories, mystery books or traditional tales that they are currently reading.

They also enjoy reading biographies of heroic people from many different times and places. The well-resourced libraries ensure that pupils can select from a range of non-fiction books that match their current class topics.

There is a consistent approach to the teaching of early reading.

From the start of the Reception Year, children enjoy the daily phonics sessions delivered by knowledgeable staff. Pupils practise reading books that contain the sounds that they know. Staff develop pupils' pronunciation of sounds and new vocabulary.

As a result, most pupils gain increasing fluency and accuracy in their reading.Children in the early years benefit from a high-quality curriculum that prepares them for later learning. Staff use songs and rhymes to consolidate early number skills.

They support children's use of varied tools such as pencils, brushes and felt-tip pens to develop the fine motor control needed for early writing. The highly purposeful environment enables children to engage deeply in their learning.

The school ensures that the additional needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are identified and assessed early.

Staff liaise with parents and carers and external agencies to make sure that these pupils get the right help to access the curriculum and achieve well.

Pupils behave well in and around school. Pupils are adamant that bullying is rare but that, if it happens, adults sort it out.

Staff make adjustments to support pupils with emotional difficulties. For example, they use music or sport as a way of helping these pupils to manage their feelings and be ready to learn.

The school identifies pupils who struggle to be in school on time every day.

It works with families to resolve any barriers to attendance. The school is not complacent about its high attendance figures. This ensures that most pupils maintain continuity in their learning.

The school prepares pupils exceptionally well for later life. It has carefully designed a personal, social and health education curriculum. Fundamental British values are woven into subjects such as science, computing and religious education.

This helps pupils to become healthy, responsible citizens. Pupils contribute positively to society, such as through the work they do with a local wetlands area. In their 'courageous advocacy' work, pupils speak out against injustice.

The school provides pupils with a rich set of opportunities and experiences. Pupils appreciate the range of clubs available to them, including football, coding, music, invasion games, art and cricket.

Governors are effective in driving forward further developments in the school.

Leaders consider the potential impact on staff's workload and well-being before introducing any changes. The school provides support to staff so that they can carry out their roles effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• On occasion, staff do not design teaching and learning activities that are closely matched to the curriculum. This means that, at times, pupils do not learn the key knowledge that the school wants them to sufficiently well. The school should ensure that it supports staff to design activities that enable all pupils to achieve the aims of the curriculum.

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