Parks Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish in this exceptional school.

They are welcoming and polite. Pupils are very proud of their school. They are happy and safe.

Pupils show kindness and respect to adults and each other. Staff and pupils live the school's core values daily. Pupils love being part of the school.

The school sets high learning and behavioural expectations for all pupils. Pupils consistently meet these high expectations. They strive for excellence in all that they do.

Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, excel in their learning. They are rightly proud of their work. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

They value the calm and focused atmosphere.
.../>The school rigorously promotes pupils' independence and responsibility. Pupils' character formation is outstanding.

Pupils are nurtured to be self-confident and resilient. They persevere when appropriately challenged. They appreciate many opportunities to further deepen their learning and willingly accept extra responsibilities.

Pupils are highly motivated. They have very positive attitudes to learning. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. One parent, echoing the views of many, commented 'My child looks forward to school every day and I feel so proud that they are part of such a fabulous team.'

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

The school lives a vision that puts pupils at the forefront of everything it does.

Leaders, including those responsible for governance, have created an ambitious culture of positivity and success. The school has maintained an exceptionally high quality of provision despite facing significant challenges, related to its premises, over the last 18 months. The school relentlessly focuses on continuous improvement.

It successfully raises pupils' aspirations, broadens their horizons and enables them to thrive.

The school has developed a highly ambitious curriculum for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school has given considerable thought to when pupils learn key subject knowledge, deepen understanding and develop skills.

Staff skilfully identify and meet the needs of pupils with SEND. Strong foundations of learning are formed in the early years. Leaders have designed ambitious subject curriculums that enable pupils to learn, understand and be able to think, for example, as mathematicians, historians or artists.

Developing pupils' oracy is a distinctive part of the curriculum. The school meticulously builds pupils' speaking and listening skills from the very start of the Nursery Year to the end of Year 6. This focus on vocabulary strengthens pupils' reading, writing and learning in all subjects.

Staff have strong subject knowledge. They collaborate to develop the school's subject curriculums. Staff provide high-quality learning experiences.

They carefully adapt their teaching to enable all pupils to access the curriculum. Staff check what pupils are learning and remembering. Staff quickly address any misconceptions.

This enables all pupils to be very successful in their learning across the curriculum. Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, build knowledge seamlessly over time.

The school prioritises reading.

Children begin their reading journey from the start of the Reception Year. Staff expertly deliver the school's own phonics curriculum. They intervene quickly when needed.

Pupils become confident and fluent readers. They develop mature reading comprehension skills as they move from one year to the next. Pupils' love of reading is purposely cultivated.

Children in the early years are captivated by stories and nursery rhymes.

The school has a consistent approach to developing pupils' positive attitudes. Routines for excellent behaviour starts early and continue as pupils move up through the school.

Pupils are enthusiastic and attentive in lessons. They relish their learning. They attend well.

Leaders aspire for even better attendance. Pupils readily take on responsibility for improving the experiences of others in their school community, for example, by being part of the 'job squad'. Pupils' opinions are valued.

Typically, a pupil commented, 'the school listens to ideas and makes them happen'.

Opportunities for pupils' personal development are impressive. From the early years onwards, the school provides a wide range of experiences for all.

Disadvantaged pupils benefit especially from these. Community projects, educational trips and residential visits enable pupils to thrive. An outstanding personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum supports pupils to understand healthy living, relationships education, awareness of risks and being safe.

Pupils learn about fundamental British values. They deepen their understanding of right and wrong. They champion equality and diversity.

The school prioritises staff welfare and is mindful of their workload. There is a clear focus on supporting staff well-being. Staff feel valued and appreciated.

Highly effective teamworking leads to sustained and continuous improvement in the quality of education. Staff are proud to be part of the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.