Nine Acres Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils blossom at Nine Acres.

They are inspired and enthusiastic learners. They thrive in this exceptional school where disadvantaged pupils flourish. The ambitious curriculum is intertwined with an extensive personal development offer.

The school's aspirational values underpin everything. The school expects its pupils to be 'articulate', 'passionate', 'persuasive' and 'positively influencing the world around us'. Pupils unquestionably rise to meet these high expectations.

They are keen to explain the ways that they uphold these values in how they act and speak.

The school wants all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabi...lities (SEND), to excel. As a result, pupils develop a rich body of knowledge across the full range of subjects.

The unique transition programme in July each year is well established. It prepares pupils excellently in all year groups to hit the ground running in September.

The school's offer goes far beyond the academic.

Everyone is 'striving for excellence' in all areas of school life. Across the school, pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Pupils' wider development is at the heart of the curriculum.

There are rich opportunities, both inside and outside of the classroom, for pupils to grow their personal skills, including in leadership, and cultural capital.

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

The expertly delivered curriculum embeds and deepens pupils' subject-specific knowledge and skills. The school invests in training for staff and ensures that they are confident across the full range of subjects.

Pupils are articulate and use precise vocabulary confidently in their explanations. Staff use their strong subject knowledge to provide stimulating activities designed to help pupils apply what they know to new concepts. Any uncertainty for pupils is quickly spotted and discussed by teachers through their effective checks on pupils' understanding.

Overall, pupils' learning is very strong across the full curriculum.

Reading is a strength of the school. The school is awash with quiet reading areas furnished with carefully chosen texts.

Expert staff ensure that children in the Reception Year and pupils in key stage 1 learn phonics quickly and securely. Staff make sure that the books that pupils read are carefully matched to the sounds that they already know. Over time, pupils develop into confident and highly competent readers.

Teachers use a wide range of texts from established authors, diverse cultures and different forms, such as song lyrics, very effectively.

No matter how complex a pupil's needs are, staff explore all opportunities to overcome any barriers to learning. They utilise appropriate expertise or seek advice from external specialists.

It enables pupils, including those with SEND, to shine in each subject. Pupils with SEND are fully included in all aspects of school life and achieve very well.

The exceptionally strong start to school that pupils experience in the Reception Year is impressive.

Adults interact with children with enthusiasm and encouragement to build children's skills. The curriculum is designed to provide a firm foundation for all children. The key early knowledge that children need to be successful with reading, writing and mathematics is secured in Reception.

The early years environment is stimulating and there are rich opportunities for children's physical development.

Pupils are incredibly polite and courteous. They show tremendous care and respect.

Their admirable behaviour contributes to the intensely positive atmosphere throughout school. The school places great importance on pupils' attendance and punctuality. The school supports pupils and their families when their attendance falls below the expected high levels.

This work helps to bring about swift and sustained improvements in pupils' attendance.

Pupils have a deep understanding of the school's values and others that are important in the wider world. Pupils respect everyone's right to their own views and beliefs even if different to their own.

Pupils are excellent ambassadors for their school. They are active citizens in their school and make a tangible difference. The impressive range of opportunities that are available help to nurture pupils' talents and interests.

Pupils benefit from such activities as residential visits, skateboarding and sailing alongside a range of sporting and arts-based clubs.

The school benefits from highly effective leadership. It continually strives to be the best that it can be.

Governors use their wide range of relevant skills and knowledge to ask probing questions and to hold the school to account. Staff speak of the high-quality training that they receive, which supports them in developing their practice even further. They also describe how working as part of a close-knit team helps to ease their workload.

The vast majority of parents and carers recognise and appreciate everything the school does for their children. Pupils leave the school as well-rounded and responsible young people ready to make their mark in their next schools and beyond.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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