Pokesdown Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

At Pokesdown Community Primary School, each day gets off to a positive start. Dedicated leaders greet pupils as they arrive. This caring and welcoming start sets the tone for the rest of the school day.

Staff take every opportunity to make learning engaging and purposeful. This helps pupils flourish academically and socially. High-quality displays of pupils' learning are evident throughout the school.

They reflect the pride that pupils take in their work.

Pupils behave remarkably well. They are kind to staff and one another.

If they have concerns, pupils feel confident talking to adults. For example, they can visit the 'Beach Hut' and learn strategie...s to manage their emotions. This makes for a safe place to learn.

The school provides a multitude of experiences to broaden pupils' interests and improve their physical health. Organised sports games at lunchtime are a favourite. An abundance of extra-curricular activities goes far beyond the norm.

These include fashion design, cooking with a chef and country dancing. Pupils say, 'There is a club for everyone to discover what they want to do'. The school makes certain that disadvantaged pupils never miss out.

All of this work contributes to an inclusive and aspirational approach for all.

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

Reading underpins the school's curriculum. Leaders have carefully mapped out a wide range of literature to ensure that pupils can see themselves in the books they read.

Pupils are enthused about reading in other subjects. For example, pupils in Year 6 understand the concept of evacuation more deeply from the books they study in class. Across the school, pupils use subject-specific vocabulary well to talk about what they know.

From the start of Reception Year, children learn to read. Skilled teaching means that children gain a strong understanding of the sounds that letters make. Children use this knowledge to read and write words with growing confidence.

Across the school, pupils who fall behind get extra support to help them keep up. A small minority of younger pupils do not read with the fluency expected. Nonetheless, most become competent and confident readers by the time they leave the school.

The school's integrated curriculum is meticulously constructed. Each curriculum project sets out the knowledge pupils need to learn for each subject. Projects culminate in clearly defined outcomes.

For example, pupils in Year 1 created a character for their story in English and then used a running stitch in design technology to create a glove puppet. In Year 5, pupils applied their knowledge of computer coding to create a controller for their fairground ride. Pupils produce high-quality outcomes across a range of subjects.

Teachers assess pupils' understanding regularly and accurately in English and mathematics. It helps them know what to emphasise and revisit in future lessons. However, in some wider curriculum subjects, assessment is not used with the same precision.

As a result, some pupils struggle to recall the essential knowledge they have learned before.

Staff are alert to pupils who struggle with their learning. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities have their needs identified quickly.

The school works closely with expert professionals to coordinate any additional help that is needed, such as pre-teaching and speech and language support. Pupils with complex needs benefit from specialist teaching sessions from the school's 'Lighthouse' provision. They grow in confidence and experience success.

Lessons flow without disruption. Right from the early years, children sustain high levels of concentration during activities. The school's six learning values, such as collaboration and thinking, encourage pupils to work hard and persevere.

Pupils care for others and move sensibly around the school.

The school deliberately places pupils' personal development at the heart of its decisions. Through assemblies, pupils celebrate uniqueness and diversity.

They confidently challenge discrimination, including gender stereotypes and racism. A recent mock general election explored the concept of democracy. Concerts, productions and visits from artists and authors develop pupils' cultural awareness.

The school ensures that pupils grow into active and responsible youngsters.

The headteacher leads the school with a determined vision that every child is prepared for tomorrow's world. She has cultivated a culture of aspiration and teamwork.

This extends to governance. Directors have a clear and accurate understanding of what is happening in the school. They visit regularly and ask searching questions of senior and curriculum leaders.

The overwhelming majority of parents endorse the school's work. One parent represented the views of many, saying, 'Pokesdown School is not just a school but a community where children feel they belong to and are valuable members'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some of the wider curriculum subjects, assessment is not used with enough precision to check what pupils know and remember over time. As a result, some pupils struggle to recall the essential knowledge they have learned before. The school needs to ensure that it uses assessment effectively to check on pupils' understanding over time and to inform future learning.