Knowleswood Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a school that requires improvement Leaders have not acted urgently enough to address the areas for improvement identified at the last inspection. The quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement. Some teachers do not have high enough expectations of the most able pupils.

The progress pupils make across the wider curriculum varies in all year groups. Leaders are still developing curriculum plans across a range of subjects. Pupils are having to make up lost ground in English and mathematics following inadequate teaching in previous years.

Although they are making stronger progress now, outcomes are not yet good. There is inconsistenc...y in the quality of teaching in early years. Although outcomes are improving, too few children are prepared for the demands of Year 1.

Leaders have used additional funding to try to reduce persistent absence. However, too many pupils are still missing out on their education because they are absent from school too often. Pupils' attitudes to learning have improved.

Pupils' behaviour is generally good. However, a very small minority of pupils do not behave consistently well. The curriculum does not prepare pupils well enough for life in modern Britain.

Pupils are not taught about different religions. This limits pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The school has the following strengths Governors' recent decision to federate with Cavendish Primary School has significantly boosted the strength of the leadership team.

This has rapidly accelerated the rate of school improvement and improved governance. The executive headteacher has united the leadership teams across both schools in the federation. They have worked together to ensure that teaching is no longer inadequate.

The quality of the teaching of reading has improved dramatically. This has already increased the proportion of Year 1 pupils who are successfully learning to read. Leaders have used additional funding effectively to employ extra adults.

Teachers use teaching assistants well in lessons. This is helping all pupils to catch up quickly.

Information about this school

This school federated with Cavendish Primary School in June 2019.

The executive headteacher of both schools began working with Knowleswood temporarily in September 2018. Since the federation, this appointment is now permanent. This school is larger than the average-sized primary school.

The school includes pupils from 11 out of 17 possible ethnic groups. Most pupils are of White British heritage. There is a higher than average proportion of pupils eligible for pupil premium funding.