New Whittington Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Communication, aspiration and resolution sit at the heart of New Whittington Community Primary School. These three ambitious aims are woven through the curriculum and school life.

Pupils learn what it means to be a good communicator, to aim high and how to resolve problems.

Pupils like coming to school and spending time with each other. They attend well.

They describe their school as being supportive, giving, fair and accepting. Pupils feel safe and valued. They say they are listened to and that their views count.

Pupils are polite and welcoming. Staff deal with any incidents of poor behaviour effectively. Through the 'Learners' Code', staff teach pu...pils what it means to be a good learner.

However, despite these high expectations, some pupils do not always engage in learning as well as they could.

Every pupil learns British Sign Language (BSL). This is something they relish.

Children in the early years proudly share the signs they know for the stories they read. By the time they reach the end of key stage 2, many pupils are proficient signers. As one pupil typically explained, 'BSL helps us to communicate with deaf children.

It makes sure that everyone is included and no one is left out.'

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

Pupils benefit from a curriculum that is ambitious and well sequenced. Staff frequently revisit the key content that pupils have been taught before.

This approach helps pupils remember important prior learning. In history, for example, pupils in key stage 2 can confidently recall what they have learned about ancient civilizations and discuss the similarities and differences between them. However, teachers do not always check what pupils know and can do closely enough.

Pupils' misconceptions are not always identified. Sometimes, pupils are moved on before they are ready.

Staff teach phonics consistently well.

Any pupil who falls behind gets the help they need to catch up. The books that pupils read are matched closely to the letters and sounds that they recognise. To develop fluent reading, staff encourage pupils to sound out words in their heads.

The school has thought very carefully about the texts that pupils will encounter at each stage of their education. Pupils recall with fondness the fiction, non-fiction and poems they have read. As well as developing their understanding of language, pupils take life lessons from these texts.

For example, Year 6 pupils learned about kindness, acceptance and inclusion from the story 'Wonder'.

Children get off to a good start in the school's nurturing and purposeful early years provision. They sustain their concentration well and get the most from the activities on offer.

Staff take part in children's imaginative play. They use these valuable learning moments to develop children's communication and language skills.Parents and carers of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) applaud the high-quality education and care that their children receive.

Staff adapt learning so that these pupils achieve well. Pupils with complex needs benefit from precise, individual support. Any pupils who attend New Whittington's hearing impairment unit are included fully in school life.

Most pupils behave well. However, some do not always display the focused, positive attitudes to learning set out in the 'LEARNER's Code'. When pupils do not engage in lessons as they are expected to, their understanding is not as secure, and they cannot always complete tasks successfully on their own.

The school has high expectations regarding attendance. It monitors absence closely, intervening swiftly if pupils have too much time off.

The school's personal development offer is a strength.

In personal, social and health education (PSHE) lessons, pupils learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy. Pupils know how to protect themselves online and how to look after their physical and mental well-being. The school frequently reviews its PSHE curriculum to ensure that it reflects the needs of the pupils and the local community.

The curriculum is enhanced by a wide range of trips and visitors. There are a variety of clubs on offer to develop pupils' talents and interests. There are also several important leadership positions for pupils to take on.

The school's librarians, for instance, play a very active role in promoting a love of reading.

The staff are a unified team. They praise the school's leadership.

Staff appreciate the thought and time that is given to help them manage their workload.

The team at Learners' Trust checks the school's progress closely. The trust provides effective support and challenge which is helping New Whittington Community Primary School to thrive.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Teachers do not always check well enough on what pupils know and can do. Consequently, gaps in pupils' knowledge are not always identified.

Pupils are sometimes moved on to new learning before they have the secure understanding that they need to do so. The school must ensure that teachers check closely on how well pupils are learning the curriculum so that any misconceptions are resolved and pupils achieve as well as they can. The school teaches pupils what it means to be a good learner.

However, some pupils do not always meet these high expectations. When pupils do not engage well with learning, their understanding is not secure, and they cannot always complete tasks successfully by themselves. The school should ensure that all pupils acquire consistently positive attitudes to learning so that they can make the most of every lesson and achieve as well as possible.