Parbold Douglas Church of England Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this school thrive in an environment where they feel happy. Relationships between adults and pupils are exceptionally strong. Pupils are supported to 'shine together' in all that they do.

This inspires them to be the very best that they can be.

The school is determined for every pupil to succeed. Pupils are curious and committed learners.

They have a thirst for knowledge. As a result, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve highly across the curriculum. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their education.

Pupils behave remarkably well. In the Reception Year, children ...are taught to be kind and caring towards others. As pupils move through the school, they learn to be confident and articulate when expressing their thoughts and ideas.

Pupils are enthused by 'star of the week' and 'golden broom' awards that they receive for their superb attitudes to school life.

Pupils' views and ideas are listened to and acted upon by the school. Pupils are proud of the impact their ideas make both in and out of school.

They relish the responsibilities that they have. These include being members of the fitness and well-being, climate emergency and community teams. Older pupils create projects and campaigns to raise awareness of many charities and appeals.

For example, they encourage others to limit their paper towel use and they donate winter coats to those who are less fortunate than themselves. Pupils make a highly tangible contribution to school and to the wider world.

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

Leadership at all levels is a strength of the school.

Trustees, all of whom are governors, have worked closely with the school to establish a clear and strategic vision. Despite the school's many notable strengths, it continually seeks to further improve on the exceptional offer that it already provides.

The school ensures that pupils benefit from an extremely ambitious curriculum from the early years to Year 6.

Much thought has gone into shaping the curriculum to engage and motivate pupils to learn more. The school has ensured that there is a precise focus on the important knowledge and vocabulary that pupils should learn in each subject.

The school ensures that pupils' additional needs do not become barriers to learning.

Staff identify pupils with SEND quickly and accurately. They skilfully adapt the access to the curriculum for these pupils. As a result, pupils with SEND benefit from the same excellent curriculum as their peers.

Reading is at the heart of pupils' learning. They develop their love of reading from the beginning of the Reception Year. Staff spark children's interest and imagination by sharing high-quality books.

Older pupils learn to recite and perform a range of poems. The school has thought carefully about the books that are most suited to pupils at each stage of their reading journey. Older pupils spoke enthusiastically about the benefits of reading a wide range of books from different authors.

They told inspectors that they enjoy sharing their reading, for example through online 'voice notes'. Pupils are keen to receive golden bookmarks from the school's reading champions each week. The bookmarks are in recognition of pupils' regular reading.

Well-trained staff expertly deliver the phonics programme with fidelity. They regularly check how well pupils are learning to read. Pupils who need extra support to keep up with the phonics programme receive additional sessions to help them to catch up quickly.

Pupils read from books that closely match the sounds that they already know. This supports pupils to become confident and fluent readers in readiness for key stage 2.

Subject leaders use their substantial knowledge to develop teachers' practice and subject expertise.

They provide staff with curriculum materials of an exceptional quality to support the delivery of the curriculum. This includes a range of technology that enhances pupils' learning. Staff are diligent in designing learning that gives pupils the knowledge that they need to excel.

Teachers ensure that pupils have mastered the foundations in their learning before moving on to more difficult concepts. Pupils have regular opportunities to revisit what they have already learned. This helps them to secure a deep body of knowledge across the curriculum.

As a result, all pupils achieve exceptionally well.

Pupils' behaviour is impeccable. They demonstrate great care and support for each other.

Children in the early years enjoy a stimulating learning environment. This helps them to be incredibly well focused on their learning. Across the school, pupils have high levels of engagement during lessons.

They demonstrate admirable resilience if they find tasks difficult.

The school focuses unwaveringly on developing pupils into well-rounded young people. Pupils are exceptionally well supported to look after their own mental health and well-being.

They experience a rich programme of extra-curricular activities. For example, they enjoy free-style frisbee, chess and clay-modelling clubs. Pupils have opportunities to learn other languages, including Mandarin and Spanish.

These experiences help pupils to discover new talents and to nurture their interests.

Pupils understand the diverse nature of the world in which they live. They have a mature understanding of equity and equality.

Pupils spoke knowledgeably about the importance of British values. They learn in an environment where there is respect for all.

Staff are incredibly proud to work at the school.

They appreciate the careful consideration that the school gives to their workload and well-being, for example when decisions are made regarding policies and practice. This helps staff to focus their efforts where these are needed most.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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