Orchard Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy and they feel safe at Orchard Primary Academy. Relationships are built on mutual respect.

Pupils understand that they are expected to work hard and uphold the school's rules of 'respect, resilience and aspiration'. One pupil said, 'Teachers tell you to be who you are.'

Pupils behave well and are polite.

They are engaged in their lessons. This is because they are interested in their learning. Pupils are keen to share ideas and opinions.

This helps them to build on each other's ideas and to learn successfully. Pupils say that instances of bullying are rare, but when it does happen, they know staff will sort it out.

Staff shar...e leaders' vision for each child.

They want all pupils to reach their potential in each of the curriculum subjects. Meaningful experiences, such as visits and visitors, bring subjects alive. As pupils move through the school, there are a wealth of opportunities to take part in, such as theme days, mindfulness activities, music lessons, after-school clubs and sporting events.

Pupils are encouraged to become responsible citizens. They take on different roles and responsibilities such as play leaders, sports leaders and student council members. These give pupils the opportunity to develop their leadership skills.

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

Learning to read is one of this school's top priorities. Leaders have ambitious plans to transform the teaching of reading, particularly early reading. They are working with a local English hub to do this.

Right from the start, children in Nursey start learning phonics. Pupils read books that match their phonics knowledge. This is helping to increase their reading confidence.

As teachers spot a gap in learning, teaching assistants provide extra teaching. Support continues until pupils are successful. Occasionally, in some sessions, a small number of staff use different strategies.

These are not in line with the school's approach. They hinder pupils' fluency. Leaders have training sessions planned to address this.

Pupils say they enjoy listening to adults read to them. Stories read to pupils help their learning in other subjects. Pupils have access to a range of books and say they enjoy reading.

Once the phonics programme is completed, pupils have daily 'guided reading' lessons. In these lessons, pupils analyse texts and answer questions about them.

Leaders have identified the key knowledge that pupils need to know and understand in subjects.

They ensure that teachers have access to training to supplement their subject knowledge. As a result, teachers know the curriculum well. They design engaging lessons.

Pupils are given time to practise skills and build on their previous learning. For example, in science, pupils in Year 3 were using skills taught in mathematics to measure fossils as part of an investigation. Careful monitoring and a range of assessment methods help to give leaders and teachers assurance that pupils are benefiting from the changes to the curriculum.

However, in some subjects, for example history, subject leadership is at an earlier stage of development. Leaders have not yet checked what pupils know. Some pupils do not have a secure understanding of what they have been taught previously.

This work has been impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leaders are ambitious that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) will access the same curriculum as their peers. Leaders identify pupils with SEND quickly.

Teachers use a range of strategies and resources to ensure that pupils receive the support they need to take part in lessons and achieve well.

The leadership in early years is strong. Children get off to a good start when they join the school.

Children in the early years start to develop knowledge and skills to prepare them for Year 1 and beyond. The development of vocabulary has a high priority in early years. Children use new vocabulary effectively when talking about their learning.

Children in Reception talked about 'subitising' objects when learning to count. As a result, children make strong progress from their low starting points.

Leaders give careful consideration to the characteristics they want pupils to develop.

Pupils are taught to 'Dream Big, Dare to Fail'. There is a wealth of opportunities for pupils' personal development. Pupils learn about different faiths and cultures.

However, the effectiveness of this is variable. Currently, some pupils do not know enough about the different religions that they study.

Leaders, including governors and leaders from the trust, support and challenge staff well.

Governors visit the school to check the impact of improvement actions. Staff report that they are well supported by leaders. They are proud to work at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders, staff and governors ensure that the safety of pupils is at the forefront of their work. Staff receive regular and appropriate training that ensures they can identify pupils who may need help and support.

Safeguarding records are detailed and thorough. Strong communication between staff ensures that concerns are shared swiftly. Leaders work effectively with external agencies to provide support to pupils and their families when needed.

They are not afraid to insist on more help if needed.

Leaders ensure that appropriate checks have been carried out before visitors come into the school.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Leaders have introduced a new phonics programme.

Teaching assistants have received training in the teaching of phonics. However, this is relatively new and as a result, some phonics sessions lack the pace of others. Leaders should make sure that they complete their planned training programme so that all pupils benefit from phonics teaching that is as good as the best.

• Subject leaders have monitored the changes they have made to the curriculum. However, this has not yet had an impact on what some pupils know and remember. Leaders need to continue to support subject leaders new to their role to monitor the implementation of the changes they have made and check the impact these are having on enabling pupils to learn more and remember more.

• Although pupils learn about different faiths and cultures, pupils move on to new ideas before grasping previous knowledge. As a result, a small number of pupils do not have a detailed knowledge of different religions. Leaders must ensure that all pupils have a good knowledge and understanding of different religions and cultures.