North Crescent Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy and safe here.

They make valuable contributions to their community, including visiting a care home to entertain the residents and supporting local charities. Pupils follow the school's values of being 'ethical, altruistic and pioneering'. They warmly and knowledgeably celebrate different cultures.

For example, they learn about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller lifestyles.

The school expects all pupils to achieve well. Pupils learn an ambitious set of vocabulary in every subject.

They are excited when they use and understand these words while learning. Pupils achieve well by the end of Year 6.

Pupils care for each other.

Old...er pupils look after the younger ones, making sure they get the help they need at playtimes. Pupils are confident that any concerns they share with their 'worry monsters' will be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Pupils love learning outdoors.

They cook on campfires and build woodland shelters. This develops pupils' confidence and team-building skills. Pupils understand the importance of mutual respect and helping everyone in the community.

Discussing the weekly news and reflecting on assemblies helps embed this learning.

Pupils are proud when their parents join them for their graduation ceremonies at the end of Reception and Year 6.

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

The school has significantly improved how the curriculum is taught.

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), now learn and achieve well.

The school prioritises teaching pupils to read. The well-sequenced phonics curriculum helps pupils to learn letter sounds quickly.

Staff identify pupils who have fallen behind. Staff provide additional teaching to help pupils to catch up. As a result, pupils learn to read with confidence.

Older pupils are passionate about reading and read for pleasure daily. Teachers read to pupils frequently. Staff model reading with expression.

Pupils enjoy reading a range of high-quality texts.

The school's curriculum is well sequenced. This starts in the early years, where children get off to a wonderful start.

In Reception, children develop a strong understanding of language, communication and number. Staff expertly support children with skilful questions and conversations. Children are highly engaged in their activities, showing determination and building positive attitudes.

In lessons across the curriculum, teachers do not always check that every pupil understands exactly what is being taught. When this happens, teachers do not spot and correct misconceptions.

Pupils learn key knowledge for each subject.

In the main, they remember what they have learned and achieve well. This is because teachers give pupils regular opportunities to use key vocabulary and subject knowledge. In the past, teaching was less effective.

Some pupils still have gaps in their knowledge, which the school is working hard to address successfully.

The school has extremely high expectations for pupils with SEND. Teachers adapt lessons carefully.

Consequently, pupils with SEND learn well. Adults anticipate pupils' needs, helping them to manage their emotions. This promotes the school's intention that pupils with SEND should not feel different from their peers as they learn.

Pupils are polite and confident. They open doors for visitors and ask, 'How are you today?' Pupils behave well in lessons. Disruption to learning is rare.

Pupils become motivated and resilient learners, focusing on the task at hand. Pupils follow adults' instructions well.

The school works hard to promote good attendance.

It checks on the reasons for absence and works to overcome these. Nevertheless, too many pupils miss too much time at school.

The school caters exceptionally well for pupils' personal development.

Leaders have carefully planned an exemplary range of additional opportunities. These are available to all, and participation levels are high. Activities weave together to create an impressive offer.

Pupils strive for rewards that directly benefit others. They are proud of their leadership roles and talk about their duty to 'serve others'. There are many after-school activities.

There is an outdoor learning programme, designed carefully to meet the needs of the community. The school ensures everyone can benefit from what is on offer. Pupils and families highly regard the high-quality pastoral support they receive

The knowledgeable trust and the local school board provide high-quality advice and support for leaders.

Staff are proud to work here. They feel well supported in managing their workload. They value leaders' support for their professional development, advice and encouragement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• There have been improvements to the implementation of the curriculum. Some pupils have legacy gaps in their knowledge, and there are inconsistencies in how effectively teachers use assessment in some subjects.

This means that misconceptions are not always addressed as quickly as possible, and some pupils do not achieve as well as they could. The school should ensure that assessment is used consistently well to spot misconceptions and adapt teaching and planning so that pupils build the secure understanding of knowledge required to achieve well in all areas of the curriculum. ? Despite the school's conscientious approach to promoting attendance, too many pupils are absent frequently.

This impacts on the learning of these pupils. They also miss out on the high-quality opportunities for personal development provided by the school. The school should continue to develop further parents' understanding of the importance of pupils attending school regularly.