Oakfield Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

There is a strong sense of family at Oakfield Primary School.

Staff and pupils look after each other because they care. Each morning, families gather in the playground and speak warmly with each other and members of staff.Pupils say that bullying is rare, but that if it does happen, staff deal with incidents quickly.

Pupils learn how to look after their mental health and to share concerns through the 'talk buddy' system. Pupils are polite and courteous and move around the school in an orderly manner. Pupils have warm relationships with staff.

Leaders have high expectations of all pupils.Children in early years settle into school and learn routines quickly. Th...ey enjoy a wide range of activities and learn how to work with others.

Parents and carers of children in early years say that their children thrive.Over time, pupils develop the ability to reflect wisely on issues such as equality of opportunity. Older pupils intelligently discuss the qualities needed for healthy relationships.

They have a strong understanding about different faiths and can speak with clarity about the make-up of different families.Pupils love the different opportunities that challenge them to develop their broader skills. These include being a school librarian, reading to younger pupils, and being prefects and play leaders.

Pupils enjoy a range of trips, clubs and experiences. Pupils say that this helps them to learn more in different subjects.

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

Leaders have put in place a well-thought-out curriculum.

It is carefully ordered and ambitious. Leaders worked with subject experts to map out the key knowledge that pupils learn. The curriculum they have designed provides ambitious end-points for pupils.

This starts from early years. For example, in mathematics, children in early years develop their knowledge of the properties of two-dimensional shapes and use of the correct mathematical vocabulary. They build on this knowledge and enhance their 'sticky knowledge' in key stages 1 and 2.

Subject leaders are confident and knowledgeable. They have a clear overview of strengths and next steps for their subjects. They provide training for teaching staff and help them with their planning and resourcing of lessons.

Teachers check on how effectively pupils are learning in reading and mathematics. This allows them to identify any gaps that same day. Checks on learning in some wider curriculum subjects are sometimes not as precise.

This means that teachers do not always have the right information about what pupils have learned long term.Leaders have placed reading at the heart of the curriculum. The library has been refurbished and leaders have purchased high-quality texts.

The teaching of reading is strong. Leaders have a clear overview of the reading programme and the progress children make. All staff are extremely well trained.

They have secure subject knowledge. They make appropriate adaptations to lessons for those who have fallen behind. In addition to this, catch-up programmes and interventions are in place.

As a result, pupils have made strong progress. Books are well matched to pupils' phonic knowledge. Leaders have considered carefully the texts pupils read to ensure that these represent a cross-section of diverse characters and themes.

Pupils value this.Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do well. Staff have high aspirations for pupils with SEND.

Leaders are skilled in rapidly identifying any underlying need. Leaders ensure that the right resources are in place to ensure that all pupils learn the same curriculum.The excellent wider personal development curriculum is a strength in this school.

Leaders take their responsibility for preparing pupils for success in the wider, diverse world extremely seriously. They plan meaningful opportunities for pupils to interact with, and learn from, people with a broad range of backgrounds. Commonalities and differences are identified and celebrated.

For example, pupils raised money to buy extra books that deepened their knowledge of diversity. This enabled pupils to share and celebrate different cultural backgrounds. Special assemblies provide stimulating opportunities for pupils to develop their understanding of what respect, tolerance and individual liberty mean.

This helps prepare pupils well for their next stage of learning.Governors have a strong understanding of the school's strengths and next steps. They are keen and ambitious.

Governors challenge well and ask the right questions to maintain high educational standards for all pupils. Staff are happy to work in the school. They greatly appreciate how leaders support their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff are proud to provide a 'safe place' for pupils. Leaders ensure that staff complete the necessary safeguarding training in a timely manner.

Staff know how to raise concerns. Leaders respond swiftly to referrals and access the help that pupils need quickly. During the recruitment process, the appropriate checks are made to confirm that adults are safe to work in school with children.

Pupils learn how to keep safe when online. Pupils also know how to keep themselves safe when they are out in the local community. They know what to do if they find themselves in any situations that make them feel uncomfortable.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The checks on pupils' learning in a minority of wider curriculum subjects are not as helpful as those seen in core subjects. This means that teachers do not always have the right information about what pupils have learned long term. Leaders should clearly define their assessment approach so that pupils continue to build on prior learning with success.