Mary Tavy and Brentor Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Mary Tavy and Brentor Community Primary School is an inspirational school where pupils flourish. The school is highly ambitious for all pupils.

Pupils achieve extremely well across the curriculum. Precise and highly effective additional support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) means they reach their full potential.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

The school has created a culture where pupils understand how to learn. They know the value of perseverance, aspiration, respect and collaboration. These attributes begin to grow the moment children join the Reception Year.

Pupils care for one another. The school's expectat...ions of what pupils can achieve are extremely high. Pupils live up to these expectations each day.

The school is preparing pupils to be resilient and independent learners.

The school listens to the views of pupils. Pupils proudly take on responsibilities, such as subject ambassadors or members of the school council.

School councillors are elected by pupils. They put forward pupils' views on how to improve the school.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the education their children receive.

Many commented about how the leaders and staff constantly go above and beyond.

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

The school has designed a meticulous and well-sequenced curriculum that meets the needs of pupils extremely well. Across all subjects, and in the early years, the school has identified the essential knowledge and skills that pupils should learn.

Subject content is carefully broken down into small steps. Lessons include regular opportunities for pupils to recap their learning. The school helps pupils to make strong connections between the curriculum's essential knowledge and skills.

For example, in geography pupils use what they have learned before about the continents when locating places on a world map.

Reading is a very high priority in the school. The school is determined that every pupil will learn to read well.

There is a well-embedded programme for teaching phonics. Adults deliver the programme effectively from the early years upwards. Children learn to read as soon as they start school.

Their reading books and writing activities match the sounds they learn. Additional support is quickly put in place to ensure pupils keep up with the phonics programme and practise their reading. This means that no child is left behind.

Adults read regularly to pupils. The school ensures that they study a broad range of high-quality texts, including stories from different cultures. Pupils value these reading sessions and have fond memories of books they have read together.

Older pupils also read books that spark their curiosity and imagination. Pupils' confidence in reading supports their writing development well. As a result, pupils are superbly prepared for the next stage of their education.

The school makes regular checks to identify gaps in pupils' knowledge and to reinforce pupils' recall of key facts. Teachers plan appropriate learning activities to ensure pupils remember important curriculum content. Pupils learn new knowledge successfully.

Staff identify the needs of pupils with SEND accurately and plan well-thought-through adaptations for those that need them.

The school's programme for personal development is exceptional. Pupils learn how to explore and express their feelings well.

They know what healthy relationships are and care for their own and others' mental and physical well-being. Pupils know how to stay safe online, as well as the importance of keeping safe in the local area. For example, the school teaches pupils about local issues, such as farm safety.

Pupils can explain different faiths and cultures, such as Buddhism, Judaism and Sikhism. Pupils are reflective and show a deep understanding of diversity. There is a strong culture of inclusion, where difference is celebrated.

Pupils get a rich diet of experiences, including residential visits, supporting the local community, performing in concerts or taking part in a variety of sporting events.Children from Reception upwards explore the natural world and learn about the changing seasons in the forest setting and outdoor classroom. The school nurtures pupils' talents and interests.

Pupils enjoy a wide range of clubs during and after school, such as handbell ringing and computer coding. Many clubs are run by pupil subject ambassadors.

Governors have a clear vision for the school.

They rigorously ensure the school provides a high-quality education for all pupils regardless of their starting points. Staff appreciate the steps that the school takes to support their well-being and workload. Staff are proud to work at the school.

Relationships between staff, pupils and parents are extremely positive. Together, the adults are united in their drive and ambition to nurture pupils to be ready for the next stage of their education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.