Kingsley Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are incredibly happy and feel safe at this welcoming, inclusive school.

They are confident and proud to talk about their school. They say that everyone is friendly and that teachers are nice and polite. Pupils understand the importance of respecting difference.

They show this in their behaviours towards each other. The school's tag line, 'We are Kingsley', gives pupils a real sense of place and belonging.

Leaders have high expectations for all pupils to achieve as well as they can.

Staff encourage pupils to know and follow the 'RAISE' values of 'respect, aspiration, integrity, synergy and endeavour'. Pupils have a particularly good understandi...ng of the meaning of these values.

The school environment is calm and orderly, and pupils behave well.

The majority of pupils are polite and well-mannered. They show respect to adults and to their peers. Pupils are ready to learn in lessons, and most enjoy learning.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. They would highly recommend it to other parents. One parent, typical of many, stated, 'Kingsley is a wonderful school, with caring, supportive teachers that go beyond to ensure children have a great learning experience.'



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

The curriculum is ambitious and well sequenced. It builds on the knowledge pupils should know over time. Most teachers deliver key concepts clearly to pupils.

The activities are well matched to what teachers want pupils to know. The work in books is of a high standard and shows pupils' pride in their work.

Teachers check what pupils know at the start of each lesson.

Pupils know this helps them to retain the knowledge they learn. Most pupils are able to remember key learning in their subjects. Leaders know how well pupils achieve in mathematics and reading.

They do not yet have an overview of pupils' achievement in all subjects, including science and physical education.

Reading starts in the early years. All staff are trained to teach the phonics scheme.

The teaching of phonics is strong and well led. Pupils in Reception and key stage 1 read with confidence. This includes pupils who speak English as an additional language.

Pupils who struggle to read get the support they need to help them catch up. Pupils enjoy reading and know they will improve by practising often. They enjoy visiting the well-stocked library and have access to the books they enjoy.

Children in the early years get off to a good start. They enjoy learning and playing together. They follow well-established routines.

The environment is vocabulary-rich. It supports children's language and communication skills well. Learning is purposeful and children know what they are doing.

They enjoy mathematics and can remember their previous learning well. Children have many opportunities to write at length.Some children's handwriting is well developed for their age and stage.

They are well prepared for Year 1.

Most pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have access to support to help them achieve their best in lessons. Teachers adapt opportunities for pupils with SEND to learn the curriculum through the use of widgets, resources and preteaching.

This practice is not yet consistent in all classes.

Pupils who speak English as an additional language are very well supported and access the same curriculum as their peers.

Most pupils have positive attitudes to their learning.

There are times when some pupils become passive learners. They sit back in lessons and do not engage actively with the learning. This happens in some lessons where teaching is not as strong as it could be.

Leaders prioritise pupils' personal development. Pupils have an excellent understanding of fundamental British values and protected characteristics. They know to respect people's differences.

Many pupils say: 'We are all special and unique and it does not matter what we look like. It's the person inside that counts.'

Pupils enjoy rich experiences of cultures and other faiths, including visits to a local mandir and mosque.

These visits support pupils' knowledge and understanding of different faiths and cultures well. There are opportunities for pupils to learn about different career options, including, for example, at the recent hands-on motor-sport workshop. Pupils are well prepared for their next steps.

Leaders have worked hard to make the necessary changes to the curriculum and have the full support of all staff. There is a culture of trust, and staff feel well supported by leaders. Staff say that their well-being and workload are well considered.

They are all proud to work at this school.

Governors and members of the trust work well with leaders. They act to support and challenge leaders effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have created a strong culture of safeguarding in the school. All staff receive training and regular updates to help them identify pupils who may be at risk of harm.

Staff report concerns to leaders. Vulnerable pupils are regularly monitored. Leaders ensure that they take the necessary actions to keep pupils safe.

Leaders work effectively with external agencies to get pupils the support they need.

Pupils have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe, including when online. They know what to do if they have any worries or concerns.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Leaders are not yet checking what pupils know in some subjects, such as in physical education and science. They do not have an overview of how well all pupils, including those with SEND, are achieving in these respective subjects. Leaders should ensure that they and subject leaders have a clear understanding of pupils' achievement across all subjects, so that they can make sure that all pupils receive the right support to achieve as highly as they should across the whole curriculum.

Also at this postcode