Leasowes Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Leasowes Primary is an exceptional and vibrant school which fully lives out its values of: respect, aspiration, enjoyment, courage, collaboration and love.

Pupils here thrive, as leaders' high expectations for them are realised in all aspects of the school's provision. Pupils say they look forward to coming to school, and they talk enthusiastically about how all adults at Leasowes help them to do their best.

Pupils are polite and considerate to each other and to visitors.

They understand what leaders expect of them and how they can support each other in their choices and behaviours. This starts in the early years, where leaders support the children in establi...shing good routines and ensure that all children have a highly effective start to their learning and personal development.

Safeguarding pupils is an absolute priority for leaders.

All pupils spoke confidently about being able to talk to trusted adults should they have a concern. They know that such concerns would be taken seriously and resolved. Pupils enjoy the wealth of opportunities that leaders have created for them, such as interesting visits and a wide range of clubs.

They are proud of the roles they hold, such as reading ambassadors, their work with local charities and the school's status as a 'Rights Respecting School'.

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

Leaders have reviewed the curriculum extensively, right from the early years. They have ensured that it is ambitious for all pupils, and have carefully considered the order in which pupils need to learn key knowledge and skills.

Teachers skilfully select activities that enable pupils to deepen their knowledge and understanding, and also make links between subjects. Within the curriculum design, teachers have carefully considered misconceptions that pupils might have. This means that misconceptions are pre-empted and addressed clearly and quickly.

Assessment is used highly effectively to identify and close any gaps in the pupils' understanding. Through careful planning, pupils are able to discuss their learning as a 'Leasowes Learner', which further deepens their understanding. All this enables pupils to achieve highly.

The school identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) accurately. Staff adapt lesson activities consistently to meet pupils' needs. Because of this, pupils with SEND achieve very well.

Leaders fully realise their vision to ensure that these pupils successfully learn the school's curriculum alongside their peers.

In the early years, staff are highly ambitious for all children. The curriculum is well designed and based on high-quality research.

This ensures that all children make excellent progress, with communication as a golden thread. On entry to the early years, children's needs are quickly identified and additional support is put into place where needed. No ceiling is placed on learning.

The highly effective provision enables children to remain engaged in their learning for sustained periods of time.For example, children can use a fine paint brush after mixing colours together to produce high-quality work.

Early reading underpins the excellent progress made by all pupils.

This starts with highly effective delivery of the agreed phonics programme. Any pupils who have gaps in their phonics knowledge are rapidly supported to ensure that all can read with fluency for their age. A highly engaging reading curriculum for all pupils then develops their range of reading through an ambitious selection of literature.

Pupils consistently conduct themselves with exemplary politeness and consideration. This includes how they behave towards visitors. Leaders have ensured that all pupils understand the school's values and what they mean in terms of conduct.

In lessons, pupils of all ages show resilience and openness to challenge. The leadership roles that leaders have embedded mean that pupils play a highly visible role in all aspects of the life of the school. Leaders have an unrelenting focus on attendance and have worked successfully to ensure that all pupils maximise their time in school.

The pupils' personal development is at the heart of the curriculum at Leasowes. Pupils learn to respect others and their beliefs and background. Difference is celebrated in this school.

There is an extensive range of clubs and enrichment opportunities and leaders work well to maximise participation, especially for more vulnerable pupils. Morning club is highly effective in supporting pupils with their learning, for example.

Leaders' ambition for Leasowes Primary is fully embedded.

The headteacher's energy, drive and determination are a key part of this. Governors and trustees have a forensic understanding of the school and the areas for development. Their delegated responsibilities are carried out effectively by governors.

Governors and trustees provide appropriate challenge to leaders. Leaders have clear plans for the future development of provision in the school. Leaders are considerate of staff well-being and workload, and make appropriate allowances to support all staff when needed.

Leaders engage extensively with parents. Parents are glowing about their children's school and the consistently high-quality provision leaders have put in place.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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