Ladybridge Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils said that they are proud to belong to this school. They develop confidence in their own capabilities.

Pupils learn to be independent. They enjoy offering each other support and guidance.

Pupils respect different points of views and other cultures.

This results in the school being a happy and harmonious community, where everyone is focused on learning. Pupils told inspectors, 'It is impossible not to have friends in this school as everyone is so welcoming.'

Leaders have high expectations of all pupils.

Teachers plan learning that captures pupils' interests. Leaders make sure that all pupils achieve well. Pupils and their parents and c...arers spoke highly of the well-thought-out support that pupils benefit from, particularly if they have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Children settle quickly into the routines of learning in the early years. Children and pupils rarely need reminding about maintaining high standards of behaviour. They are well motivated in lessons.

They are polite and well-mannered as they move around the school.

Pupils are kept safe. 'Anti-bullying ambassadors' and 'well-being champions' work to ensure that everyone enjoys breaktimes.

Bullying is not tolerated. Pupils are confident that staff will help them if they have any worries. Leaders diligently deal with pupils' concerns, including those relating to bullying.

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

Leaders have designed a well-organised and ambitious curriculum that meets the needs of the pupils at the school. Leaders have made sure that teachers are clear about the topics that pupils should learn. In most subjects, leaders have defined the key knowledge that they want pupils to know and remember within those topics.

Teachers successfully enable pupils to build on what they have learned before. In the main, pupils, including those with SEND, make strong connections between the concepts and topics across most of the curriculum.

In a small number of subjects, however, it is sometimes less clear exactly what leaders expect pupils to know.

As a result, teachers sometimes miss minor aspects of the key knowledge that pupils must learn. This prevents some pupils from achieving as highly as they could.

Children get off to a 'flying start' in the Reception Year.

Leaders have expertly prioritised reading. This is especially important as some children are behind in communication and language due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers across the school are skilled at finding out what pupils already know so they can plan what they need to learn next.

Leaders ensure that children in early years who may have SEND, or those who are at the early stages of learning to speak English, are identified as soon as possible. Leaders make sure that the appropriate support is in place for pupils who may be struggling with learning to read. As a result, all children and pupils build up their phonics knowledge well.

All teaching staff follow the school's phonics programme diligently. Pupils enjoy practising reading with books which are carefully matched to the sounds that they know. This helps to develop pupils' fluency in reading.

Older pupils are enticed into reading unfamiliar texts. This successfully builds up their stamina in reading and broadens their understanding of different historical periods and cultures. By the time they are in Year 6, all pupils, including those with SEND, read widely and appreciate how this helps them to learn more.

Leaders have ensured that pupils develop a thirst for learning. Teaching staff do not accept 'second best'. Pupils and children in the early years strive to achieve highly in lessons and to make the right behavioural choices at social times.

Leaders provide a well-considered range of activities to support pupils' wider development. Most pupils are keen to take part in the clubs on offer. In addition, pupils develop strong leadership skills in the many roles that they carry out on the playground and around the school.

They demonstrate respect and maturity in the way that they listen to and consider different points of view. Pupils enjoy times of reflection. They told inspectors that they think it is important to learn about other faiths and cultures, so that they do not unintentionally offend someone with different beliefs to themselves.

Governance is strong. Governors have provided effective support and challenge to leaders and to staff to make sure that pupils receive a consistently high-quality education. They liaise effectively with staff and listen to the views of pupils and parents so that everyone feels valued.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders work to ensure that pupils are safe in school. Leaders and governors are well trained in the safeguarding of pupils.

They are diligent in keeping abreast of the potential dangers that pupils may face.

Leaders and staff take swift action to address any safeguarding issues that arise. Staff liaise effectively with the personnel who are responsible for safeguarding when they identify that vulnerable pupils need additional support.

They also work effectively with a wide range of external agencies, when required.

Leaders ensure that pupils learn how to keep themselves safe, especially when they are online. Pupils understand and follow the school rules.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Leaders have not finalised the essential knowledge that pupils must learn in a minority of foundation subjects in key stages 1 and 2. Consequently, some pupils do not achieve as highly as they could. Leaders should refine their curricular thinking in these remaining subjects so that teachers know exactly which key knowledge pupils must learn.