Marshland Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Marshland Primary Academy is a welcoming school. Relationships between adults and pupils are respectful.

Adults know pupils well and stop to talk to them when they meet them around the school. The school environment is well organised and attractive. Classroom displays provide pupils with useful information that they use to help them learn.

Supported by the academy trust, the school has worked hard to bring about improvements. Pupils move around the school sensibly. They are polite and courteous to visitors.

Pupils listen carefully to teachers. They are encouraged to be independent from an early age. Pupils are not worried about bullying.

They are awa...re that bullying can happen, but this is rare. They are confident that staff would help them if they had any problems. The school, alongside members of the academy trust, has worked hard to improve the curriculum.

Pupils take part in educational visits to help them learn about different subjects. For example, pupils in Year 5 visit the National Space Museum to support their learning in science. Pupils enjoy the 'Marshland Moments'.

They strive to experience fifty different things during their time in school, such as performing on a stage or exhibiting their artwork.

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

Reading is a priority across the school. Children begin to learn to read as soon as they start Reception.

The school has introduced a new approach to the teaching of reading. Leaders have provided training to help staff teach reading well. Those children who need extra help with learning to read receive effective support.

Staff check which sounds pupils have learned. However, at times, teachers do not use this information to ensure that books are carefully matched to the sounds that pupils know. This means a small number of pupils struggle to read their books.

The school has reviewed and improved the curriculum. Leaders have thought carefully about what they want pupils to know and remember in each subject. In the early years, adults encourage children to develop their language skills in all areas of the curriculum.

Pupils build on what they know and can do as they move from Nursery to Year 6. They join in classroom discussions with enthusiasm. Teachers think carefully about the structure of their lessons.

They support pupils to remember what they have been taught previously and to link this to new learning. Teachers adapt lessons for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This means that pupils with SEND can learn the same curriculum as their classmates.

The school has reviewed the mathematics curriculum. Pupils build on what they know and can do each year. Pupils spend time each day practising things they have already learned.

Starting in Reception, pupils are encouraged to use mathematical language. Pupils with SEND receive effective support from adults in lessons. Pupils have frequent opportunities to develop their understanding of number.

However, the school does not provide some pupils with enough opportunity to develop their problem-solving skills.

Teachers check what pupils have learned in all subjects. They monitor what pupils know and understand, and they identify any gaps in pupils' learning.

There are clear systems in place to identify pupils who may need extra help. Pupils with SEND receive effective support. Leaders provide staff with further advice where needed.

Staff work well with external professionals to provide pupils with the help they need.

Pupils have opportunities to join a variety of leadership groups that help to improve the school. For example, the Marshland Mini Playground Assistants help to set up and clear away activities in the playground.

Pupils are respectful of people with different backgrounds or beliefs. They understand that it is important to follow school rules. Pupils enjoy earning rewards to 'spend' at the school shop.

Assemblies encourage pupils to learn about different types of music. For example, pupils have enjoyed learning about David Bowie and his influence on music over time.

The school has established a strong team culture.

One member of staff described the school as having 'one amazing team'. Leaders take care to consider the workload of staff. Staff appreciate the support they receive from leaders and the academy trust.

Governors have a detailed understanding of the strengths of the school and what needs to be done to make further improvements. They provide leaders with effective challenge and support. The school makes efforts to include parents in their child's education.

For example, a 'stay-and-play' group in the Nursery encourages parents to visit school each week.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some teachers do not use assessment information accurately to ensure that books are closely matched to the sounds that pupils know.

As a result, some pupils struggle to read the books they are given. This slows the progress they make in their reading. Teachers should ensure that pupils at the early stages of learning to read are provided with books that closely match their phonics knowledge.

• The school's approach to the teaching of mathematics limits the opportunities some pupils have to solve problems. This means that a small number of pupils do not develop their problem-solving skills well enough. Leaders should review the way that mathematics lessons are structured so that all pupils are able to develop their knowledge of problem-solving in mathematics.

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