Lady Katherine Leveson Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a warm, welcoming and inclusive school.

Staff know pupils and their families extremely well. They actively seek to develop pupils' talents and interests. Pupils and staff embody the school's values of 'learning, loving and living with joy'.

This, together with the school's Christian ethos, creates a happy and harmonious place to learn.

Pupils behave very well. At social times, they play together happily with friends on the playground.

Pupils are polite and respectful to visitors. In lessons, pupils listen carefully to their teachers and complete tasks with enthusiasm. Staff are quick to deal with any fall outs or unkindness, should they occur....

Leaders have made improvements to the curriculum since the last inspection. Pupils particularly enjoy their learning in reading and mathematics and make good progress in these subjects. They also like their learning elsewhere in the curriculum, but leaders know there is more to do to make this even better.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. They greatly value the support the staff give to their children. As one parent said in response to Ofsted's survey: 'This is a really special school.

It not only encourages academic progression, but it nurtures the individual child too.'

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

Reading has a high profile in the school. Children begin to enjoy stories and learn to read as soon as they start school.

Structured phonics lessons are taught effectively throughout. This results in most pupils being able to read age-appropriate texts confidently and accurately by the end of key stage 1. If pupils do fall behind, extra support is provided so that they are able to catch up.

Older pupils enjoy reading and can talk confidently about a range of books and authors.

Leaders have developed the mathematics curriculum in recent years. Teachers use their good subject knowledge well to deliver the mathematics curriculum.

Lessons have a familiar structure across the school and these consistent routines help pupils to deepen their mathematical knowledge. Pupils are enthusiastic, active learners and enjoy their learning in this subject.

Leaders are currently reviewing what pupils learn in the wider curriculum.

In some subjects, this is further along than others. For example, in history and science, leaders have thought carefully about how pupils develop their understanding of key concepts and connect their learning together over a series of lessons. In these subjects, pupils can talk confidently about what they know and understand.

However, in a few subjects, there is further work to do to set out precisely the knowledge and skills pupils need to develop over time. In addition, in some subjects, teachers do not consistently check what pupils have learned and use this information to inform future lessons.Leaders have taken effective steps since the previous inspection to improve the provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Leaders accurately identify pupils with SEND and put in place the right support. All staff have received training on supporting pupils with SEND and on how those pupils can be encouraged to work independently when appropriate. Leaders routinely monitor the support they put in place to ensure pupils with SEND make strong progress from their starting points.

Leaders place great emphasis on developing pupils' social, moral, spiritual and cultural character. Pupils understand that it is wrong to discriminate against others. Adults encourage pupils to accept and celebrate people's differences.

For example, pupils learn about different religions and celebrations, including Diwali. The school's personal, social and health education curriculum is effectively structured to help pupils develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe, including when they are online.

Pupils have various ways to participate in wider school life.

Several pupils enjoy taking part in extra-curricular activities, including a range of sports and clubs such as cooking and art. They also enjoy different trips to places such as the 'Thinktank' in Birmingham and annual residential trips. Pupils value the many ways they can contribute their views, such as through the school council.

Governors and trust leaders have a strong understanding of the school. They discharge their duties well and provide effective support and challenge to leaders. Staff are extremely positive about the progress the school has made since the last inspection.

They appreciate the support they are given with their workload and enjoy working here.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure that safeguarding is a high priority.

Staff benefit from regular training so that they know how to recognise and respond to any signs of abuse. Staff know individual pupils well and are confident to share any concerns. Leaders are diligent in their approach to record-keeping and monitoring of concerns about a pupil's well-being through regular meetings and audits.

They work closely with parents and partnership agencies to make sure that pupils get the help they need. The curriculum teaches pupils about keeping themselves safe. Pupils have a secure knowledge of how to stay safe online.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few curriculum subjects, leaders have not precisely identified the key knowledge and skills that pupils need. This means that it is unclear how pupils can build on what they know and make connections in their learning. Leaders should continue with their review and development of the wider curriculum to identify the specific knowledge and skills pupils need to know and develop over time.

• Leaders are still in the process of developing their use of assessment in some subjects. This means that teachers do not always check what pupils have learned and use this information to pinpoint gaps in knowledge. Leaders should further develop and embed effective ways for teachers to use assessment in the wider curriculum to help teachers plan appropriate subsequent learning.

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