Modbury Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Modbury Primary School is at the heart of the community. Pupils are proud of their school.

They feel safe and know that there is an adult to talk to if they have any concerns. Pupils benefit from an ambitious curriculum that celebrates the local environment while at the same time providing a window to the wider world.

Pupils are keen to raise money to support local charities.

They work with the police to identify ways to make their community safer. Pupils take advantage of the local area. Year 5 pupils learn to sail, while those pupils who need extra swimming lessons are provided with more time in the school swimming pool.

These opportunities help to... build pupils' confidence and resilience. The school's sensory garden also provides pupils with the opportunity to be reflective.

There are many opportunities for pupils to develop leadership skills.

Pupils are voted in to the school council. School councillors and the sports council work together to raise money for new playground equipment. Older pupils know what it means to be a role model.

They proudly act as playground buddies to the younger pupils.

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

Since the previous inspection the school has made significant changes to the curriculum. Strategic leadership from the school, governors and the federation has ensured that changes have been well managed.

As a result, the quality of education has improved for all pupils. This is reflected in published outcomes.

Children in Reception class learn to read as soon as they start school.

Daily phonics sessions help children to learn their sounds quickly. Pupils read books that match the sounds they know. This means that most pupils achieve well.

Pupils who fall behind are identified quickly. However, not all staff have been trained to deliver this aspect of the curriculum well. This has an impact on how effectively some pupils learn.

The school's curriculum is well planned to build knowledge and skills progressively from Reception to Year 6. Mathematics, for example, is a strength of the school. In Reception class, activities are designed to help children to develop a strong sense of number.

Across the school, teachers regularly use assessment well to check pupils' understanding of mathematics. This means that pupils talk confidently about mathematics.

However, as school leaders recognise, some subjects are implemented less effectively.

In some subjects, the learning activities that pupils complete do not match what they know and can do. For example, pupils who are ready to move on to more complex work, are not given work that is ambitious enough. This means some pupils do not build their knowledge well over time so do not always achieve as well as they could.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from strong support throughout the school. The school works closely with staff and outside agencies to ensure the provision for pupils with SEND is personalised and targeted to meet their needs. This means that pupils with SEND enjoy learning and achieve well.

Children in Reception learn in a well-resourced environment. Activities are designed to reflect children's interests as well as celebrate the work they do. For example, children immerse themselves in role play as vegetable sellers proudly displaying a colourful range of fruit and vegetables, they had previously hand-crafted.

Staff and pupils develop positive relationships across the school. As a result, if low level disruption occurs, it is quickly dealt with. Pupils respond well to instructions from staff.

Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils know the school rules and what is expected of them. Incidents of bullying are rare.

If bullying does happen, the school is swift to act to ensure all pupils receive the appropriate support to avoid future incidents.

The school's curriculum for pupils' personal development is extensive. Pupils learn about online risks as well as risks related to a rural community.

They are knowledgeable about fundamental British values and connect them to news and current affairs. Pupils talk with excitement about trips to museums which help them to develop a deeper understanding of historic events.

Governors understand the school's strengths and areas for development.

They provide a balance of challenge and support to school leaders. All staff are proud to work at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Learning activities are not always adapted well enough to meet the needs of pupils. This means that some pupils develop gaps in their knowledge, while others complete work that is not ambitious enough. The school should ensure that learning is suitably adapted so that all pupils progress through the curriculum well.

• The school has not yet fully developed all staff's subject knowledge to ensure they deliver all aspects of the curriculum effectively. As a result, sometimes pupils do not learn the curriculum well. The school should continue to develop staff expertise so that the curriculum is effectively implemented.

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