Molescroft Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The Molescroft motto of 'Everybody cares, everybody learns, and everybody matters' is not something that exists on a letterhead, it is something that permeates all aspects of school life.

The motto underpins all decisions that leaders make.

Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum. Pupils, including those with additional needs, are supported to achieve highly.

Through the vibrant annual international festival pupils learn about the similarities and differences between themselves and those who live elsewhere in the world.

Bullying is very rare at Molescroft. On the rare occasions it happens, pupils know the importance of reporting it and are con...fident that it will be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Behaviour in lessons and around school is calm and purposeful. Pupils mix easily with those from other year groups at break times. They enjoy coming to school.

Pupils are exceptionally proud to 'be a Mole'. They talk about being 'once a Mole, always a Mole'. Key Molescroft attributes of working hard, showing gratitude and demonstrating kindness are reinforced by adults at every opportunity.

Pupils are determined to demonstrate these attributes, and be ambassadors for their school, as they move through life.

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

Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum that enthuses pupils about the world around them. Pupils learn French or Spanish from the very start of their time in school.

Curriculum plans identify subject-specific language that pupils should learn. The identified language is challenging but teachers, supported expertly by teaching assistants, support all pupils to understand it. As a result, pupils often use this sophisticated language independently when talking about their work.

Subject leaders are very knowledgeable about their subjects. They have carefully considered what pupils should learn in their subject, how it builds upon prior learning and how it links with other subjects. Subject leaders have developed guidance for teachers about how their subject should be taught.

Through modelling and coaching, they ensure that adults working with pupils are supported to teach each subject effectively. Teachers routinely check whether pupils have remembered what they have previously been taught. When they have not, they adjust their teaching appropriately.

Leaders ensure that staff teach phonics effectively and consistently. Pupils read books that are matched appropriately to the sounds that they are learning. Where pupils require additional support to learn new sounds, they are identified quickly and receive additional support and practice on the same day.

As a result, pupils learn to read quickly, fluently and with comprehension. Throughout school, pupils enjoy listening to adults read. Leaders ensure that pupils listen to, and read, a wide range of books.

Leaders seek to actively engage parents in the life of the school. Before children even start attending Reception, parents are invited to attend whole-school events. Parents value the 'bedtime stories videos' that Reception teachers send home before children start school.

These help children with their start to school.

Pupils benefit from an exceptional array of extra-curricular clubs and groups, including a vibrant orchestra, an active ecological group and a range of sporting teams. During the COVID-19 restrictions, leaders were determined to keep as many aspects of wider school life continuing as possible, as well as delivering remote lessons.

For example, the annual school musical became a 'radio play', with pupils recording their parts at home that were edited together in school before being published for the whole community to enjoy.

Through personal, social and health education (PSHE) lessons, and through daily whole-school assemblies, pupils learn about respect, tolerance and democracy. There is an active school council, with representatives from all classes who influence the life of school.

For example, recently the school council suggested that a theme day looking at 'How childhood has changed over the years' be introduced into the school calendar. As a result, leaders are planning to introduce this.

Behaviour in lessons and around school, including at lunch and breaktimes, is exceptionally calm.

There is a simple and clear behaviour policy that is understood by everyone in school. Pupils of all ages value the 'marbles' reward scheme and enjoy working together, as classes, to save up their jars to spend on class rewards.

The quality of leadership, throughout school, means that leaders frequently support other schools and organisations.

The headteacher carefully ensures that this does not get in the way of providing a high quality of education for pupils at Molescroft.

Adults working in school are very well supported. Workload is managed effectively, allowing staff to focus on tasks and activities that will make the most difference to pupils.

Governors have established processes to gain an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school. Through these, they have an accurate view of the school, and challenge and support the headteacher and other leaders effectively to continue providing an exceptional education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure that all adults, including volunteers, receive up-to-date safeguarding training. They check that everyone working in school knows the risks that young people face growing up, the signs that a pupil may be in need of help and the importance of reporting concerns. Where potential concerns are raised, the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) proactively seeks guidance and support from outside agencies as to the appropriate steps to take.

Pupils are taught about the risks they face in life. For example, they learn about how to stay safe in the local community and how to report online concerns. Where potential issues arise locally or nationally, the PSHE curriculum is adapted appropriately.