Olympic Primary

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders are ambitious for every pupil to achieve highly in all subjects and the wider curriculum.

Their aims are based on an ethos of respect, honesty, kindness, responsibility and aspiration. These five values influence every aspect of school life. Leaders have ensured that pupils have a deep understanding of what they mean.

For instance, pupils told inspectors that aspiration is about 'motivation and desire', 'being the best you can be', 'pushing yourself to be more and do more' and 'improving your work, day by day'.

Staff reward pupils for demonstrating the school's values. Pupils are keen to do this, earning points on their class chart as they do.
.../>This positive approach has led to significant improvements in behaviour. Classrooms are calm, purposeful places where pupils can focus on their learning. Pupils are kind towards each other.

They use the school's 'ABC (Agree, Build, Challenge)' strategy to discuss things in a polite and respectful manner.

Pupils feel happy and safe at Olympic Primary. They report that bullying is not an issue at their school.

Pupils know that staff will help them resolve any problems they may have. They told inspectors, 'Teachers care for you here, and they check that you are OK.'

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

Leaders have set out an ambitious curriculum.

They have identified the important knowledge, skills and vocabulary that pupils need from the early years through to Year 6. Subjects have been planned in 'pathways' to show how learning builds over time. Staff follow these plans closely so that pupils meet new knowledge and skills in a logical order.

Pupils use the 'pathways' to link what they are learning now to what they have been taught in the past.

Staff have good subject knowledge. They show pupils what they need to do through the 'I do, we do, you do' approach.

Staff encourage independent learning by asking pupils to work through the 'Five Bs (Brain, Board, Book, Buddy, Boss)' when they have a problem. Staff adapt lessons to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These changes ensure that pupils with SEND learn the full curriculum.

In some subjects, the school's well-planned curriculum has not yet led to the high attainment outcomes that leaders want. Some pupils do not remember the important things they need to know with a sufficient depth of understanding. This is because staff do not check precisely enough on how well pupils are doing during some lessons.

As a result, misconceptions are sometimes not put right straight away, and pupils do not spend enough time going over the things they have found more difficult.

Leaders are doing everything they can to raise attainment in reading. Learning to read begins as soon as children join Olympic Primary.

Leaders have ensured that all staff have the expertise they need to teach pupils how to read. There is a very consistent approach to the teaching of phonics across the school. Using the 'my turn, your turn' approach, staff show pupils how to use their 'robot arms' to sound out and blend letter sounds into whole words.

Every afternoon, pupils go over the letter sounds from the morning. This helps to keep phonic knowledge fresh in their mind. Many children in Reception already know that a trigraph is one sound made by three letters and they can give examples, such as 'ear' and 'igh'.

The books pupils take home to read contain letter sounds that they know so they can become confident, fluent readers. Leaders check closely on pupils' progress. If any pupil needs extra help, they are given it straight away.

Leaders monitor pupils' behaviour and attendance on a weekly basis. They use this analysis to quickly respond to any issues that arise.

The school's personal development programme has been planned carefully.

Teachers link what they do in the classroom to career paths. Pupils told inspectors: 'In every lesson, there is a part about how it might help you in later life. For example, in science, we learn how what we do could help us to be a doctor.'

Pupils learn that healthy relationships are based on trust and honesty. They know how to keep themselves physically and mentally healthy. However, they are far less knowledgeable about British values, protected characteristics and world faiths.

Staff are very proud to work at Olympic Primary. They recognise that the school has improved considerably since it was taken over by Lion Academy Trust. However, some teachers shared concerns about their workload.

Leaders are keen to work with staff to drive down workload further.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure that staff know about current safeguarding issues by providing weekly updates.

Staff know how to report concerns using the school's referral system. Leaders have adapted the curriculum so that pupils learn about the risks and issues in their local area. Those with responsibility for safeguarding make sure that pupils get the support they need swiftly.

Leaders regularly meet to review safeguarding concerns and check that things are improving for pupils.

Pupils share any worries they might have. They told inspectors, 'We know to talk to one of our five trusted adults on our five fingers.'



What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Sometimes staff do not check precisely enough on pupils' progress during lessons. This means that some pupils do not always fully understand and remember what they are expected to know. Without placing any unnecessary burdens on staff or pupils, leaders must refine their approach to assessment so that teachers quickly pick up on any misconceptions and spend time going over the things that pupils find more difficult.

• Pupils lack knowledge about diversity and equality. This means they are not as prepared as they need to be for life in modern Britain. Leaders should review their curriculum offer to ensure that pupils develop a deeper understanding of British values, protected characteristics and world faiths.