Lilleshall Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school? '

Make your learning fly' is the motto at this friendly school with a real 'family' feel.

It is not just learning that flies. Adults have high expectations, and pupils excel in all aspects of school life. Everyone is supported to achieve their best, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Pupils achieve exceptionally well from early years to Year 6.

Pupils quickly learn and live by the school's rules. They are HAPPY: helpful, ambitious, polite, prepare and 'your best'.

Adults and pupils regularly discuss and celebrate the school's values of independence, effort, challenge, positive, taking risks and determination.... These rules and values lead to an incredibly harmonious and productive atmosphere across the school.

Pupils have a highly developed sense of tolerance and equality.

They regularly discuss and debate issues. Pupils accept that others may have different views to them. They have highly positive attitudes to their learning.

Consequently, lessons proceed without disruption.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly supportive of the school. One parent summarised the thoughts of many others by saying, 'The school fosters a nurturing and inclusive environment where each child is valued and supported to achieve their potential.'



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

Pupils study a rich and ambitious curriculum. Subject specialists have worked closely with early years staff to make sure each subject has a strong foundation. The knowledge pupils learn prepares them effectively for their next step in education.

Pupils regularly revisit important knowledge. This helps them to connect prior learning to new, more complex curriculum content. For example, in computing, pupils can explain how their learning in early key stage 2 helped them design a simple computer game in Year 6.

The school ensures that teachers have the knowledge and expertise to bring the curriculum to life. Teachers provide clear explanations, using their expert subject knowledge. They pay particular attention to the needs of disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.

The specific needs of pupils are identified swiftly. Teachers carefully adapt the curriculum for those who need this. Teachers regularly check on pupils' learning, quickly addressing any gaps or misconceptions.

Children make a fantastic start in the early years. Children learn to be independent and resilient. Adults know the children very well and relationships are strong.

Songs and rhymes permeate the environment. Children learn how to use these to remember what has previously been taught. For example, they sing a song to remind them how to construct a simple sentence when writing.

The school's reading curriculum is highly ambitious. Staff have the expertise required to teach reading very effectively. Those at the early stages of reading develop secure phonics knowledge.

Consistent teaching of a recently established phonics programme means that pupils achieve well. Pupils with gaps in their phonics knowledge get effective support to catch up. Pupils develop into fluent and confident readers.

They develop a love of reading further through listening to books by 'authors of the moment'. Pupils regularly share books they have enjoyed reading at home.

Pupils are polite, friendly and respectful.

They learn to understand their own and each other's feelings. Pupils suggest that the reason why bullying is so rare is because staff sort out any issues that occur quickly and successfully. Leaders understand the reasons for pupils' absence.

They take appropriate action to reduce absence and support families where necessary.

Pupils benefit greatly from the school's unwavering focus on the wider curriculum. They speak enthusiastically about the array of meaningful enrichment activities on offer, for example how an experience at a theme park had enabled them to learn about forces in science.

Pupils benefit from the wide range of clubs on offer. Talents and interests are further developed through events such as 'sports week', where pupils experience mountain biking, skiing, ice skating and martial arts.

The school has a focus on ensuring that pupils understand the need for healthy lifestyles.

Pupils know that this is important, including a balanced diet and the need for positive mental health. Pupils have a firm understanding of fundamental British values; they are very aware of the range of cultures, religions and relationships in modern Britain. They say, 'Life would be boring if we were all the same.'

As a result, pupils are well prepared for later life.

Staff say that leaders and governors are particularly supportive. Staff feel that leaders are considerate of their well-being and ensure that their workload is manageable.

Governors support the school well. They are relentless in ensuring that the school continues to 'fly high'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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