Ponsbourne St Mary’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school is at the heart of the community. Leaders work closely with the neighbouring church and nearby charity groups. Pupils enjoy taking part in local activities such as the annual village show.

Pupils and staff liken the school to 'a happy family' and feel well supported. Most parents are positive about the quality of education that the school provides. They feel that their children make good progress within a nurturing and caring environment.

The school's values, including love, forgiveness and hope, thread through every aspect of school life. Most pupils understand that demonstrating these values will 'help to make the world a better place'.

Pupils ar...e friendly and polite.

They work well together in lessons. Pupils share their ideas and offer a helping hand to their friends. Pupils are respectful to staff and to one another.

Pupils feel safe in school. They are taught how to deal with risks they may face, for example, when using the internet. They know that if they have any worries they can talk to their 'Ponsbourne partner', who is a trusted member of staff.

Pupils say that bullying does not happen. We agree that staff would deal with any such incidents quickly should they occur.

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

Leaders make sure that the curriculum is broad and balanced.

English and mathematics are taught effectively. Teachers use their strong subject knowledge to sequence tasks that help pupils to build on their knowledge and understanding. In most other subjects, including history, geography and science, the curriculum is well planned.

Pupils are supported to make links and learn deeply, applying what they know already to new work. For example, in geography, the youngest children make simple picture maps of their outdoor area. In key stage 1, pupils learn to label maps with the countries of the United Kingdom.

Older pupils remember this knowledge and use it to correctly locate Viking settlements in the United Kingdom.

Leaders are reviewing the curriculum plans of subjects such as art and modern foreign languages to make sure that teachers provide pupils with clear sequences of knowledge and skills to secure their learning. Leaders have chosen a range of resources to develop curriculum plans and support the teaching of all subjects.

However, leaders do not check closely enough that teachers are using these approaches consistently throughout the school, ensuring that pupils' knowledge and skills always build on previous learning.

The teaching of reading is a priority. Starting in the Reception class, and throughout key stage 1, pupils develop their phonics skills through structured activities that build their confidence and understanding.

Well-trained staff encourage pupils to persist when tackling unfamiliar words. Consequently, pupils make good progress with their reading. Most pupils become fluent readers by the end of key stage 2.

Pupils' attitudes to learning are generally positive, as is reflected in the good progress they make. Pupils appreciate that their teachers 'go over what we know already at the beginning of lessons because this helps us to remember what we already know.'

Leaders and staff prepare pupils for life in modern Britain through the school's inclusive ethos, where everyone is valued.

Leaders and staff make sure that pupils have a good understanding of world faiths, customs and culture. Additionally, pupils make good use of the varied experiences planned for them. For example, in a history lesson, Year 5 and 6 pupils were using what they had learned during a recent residential trip to York to identify various Anglo-Saxon artefacts.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported effectively to work alongside their peers. Staff plan learning for pupils with SEND carefully so that pupils can make good progress from their various starting points.

Children get off to a good start in early years.

Staff form positive relationships with children. This means both Nursery and Reception children learn routines and understand expectations quickly. Staff teach children early reading, writing and number skills from the very start.

Effective teaching and accurate assessment ensure that children develop these skills well. As a result, most children reach a good level of development by the time they leave early years and are ready for Year 1.

There is a positive sense of teamwork in the school.

Staff appreciate the training they are given and leaders' support for their well-being. Leaders and staff are keen to work with other local schools to share best practice and improve further.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is a strong culture of safeguarding at the school. Leaders, staff and governors ensure that pupils are safe and happy. Appropriate checks are made on staff, governors, volunteers and regular visitors to the school to make sure that they are suitable people to work with children.

These checks are recorded meticulously. Staff and governors receive regular training covering different aspects of safeguarding. As a result, staff know exactly what to do if they are concerned about a pupil's welfare.

Leaders ensure that support is provided for vulnerable pupils and their families, including from staff and outside agencies.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

In subjects such as art and modern foreign languages, leaders' plans do not clearly identify the order in which knowledge and skills should be taught. Additionally, the connections between previous and new learning are not defined well.

Leaders should complete their review of all curriculum plans, ensuring that these provide clear a structure for teachers to help pupils build well on their previous learning across all subjects. . Leaders need to monitor that teachers are using the school's chosen teaching approaches consistently throughout the school and make sure that these have a long-lasting effect on improving pupils' outcomes.

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