Prestolee Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this school get a fantastic learning experience.

From the early years to Year 6, pupils succeed in modelling their school's motto to 'aim high and be better than you have ever been before.' Pupils are happy in school and greet their friends and staff each morning.

The school has exceptionally high expectations of what pupils can and should achieve.

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), consistently live up to or exceed these expectations. They achieve remarkably well.

Pupils relish every opportunity to learn.

Pupils are nurtured and cared for by staff who know them very well. As a result..., they flourish academically and personally.

Pupils behave extremely well.

They work hard in lessons and play cooperatively with their friends. Pupils treat others with thought and consideration.

Pupils thoroughly enjoy the many enrichment opportunities that are woven through the curriculum.

For example, they benefit from carefully programmed trips to local farms, museums and places of worship. Pupils regularly take part in sports competitions. They also work with the local community to organise events such as choir performances in nursing homes and nativity plays in the church.

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

The school has carefully mapped out the important knowledge that pupils should learn, and when this should be taught, in each subject. From the early years to Year 6, the curriculum builds pupils' knowledge securely. The high-quality curriculum is broad and balanced.

The school provides staff and leaders with regular, useful training. This helps to ensure that staff support pupils to learn the intended curriculum very well. Staff deliver the curriculum expertly.

Staff are adept at swiftly identifying pupils' misconceptions and misunderstandings. Staff use assessment strategies well to identify any gaps in pupils' knowledge. This information is used skilfully to shape pupils' future learning.

Over time, pupils develop a deep body of knowledge across a range of subjects. This is reflected in the high-quality work that they produce, and the in-depth discussions that they hold about what they have learned.

Reading is at the heart of the school's curriculum.

Children learn phonics as soon as they begin in the Reception Year. Prior to this, the nursery curriculum encourages children to enjoy sharing stories and rhymes.

Staff are well trained to deliver the phonics programme with confidence and expertise.

Pupils practise reading with books that are well matched to the sounds that they have learned. The school ensures that any pupils who find reading difficult get the extra support that they need to catch up quickly. Most pupils become confident, fluent readers.

The way that staff skilfully adapt the delivery of the curriculum to meet the needs of pupils with SEND is a real strength of this school. The school has established effective systems to identify the additional needs of pupils quickly and accurately. Staff provide strong support to pupils with SEND.

These pupils become increasingly independent and learn the same curriculum as their peers.Pupils, including children in the early years, demonstrate exemplary attitudes to their learning. They are friendly and well-mannered.

The school places great importance on pupils' attendance and punctuality. Most pupils attend school frequently and on time. The school provides highly effective support when pupils' rates of attendance need to improve.

The way that the school develops pupils' character is commendable. Pupils have a well-developed understanding of differences. They pride themselves on making everyone feel welcome in their school.

Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, benefit from a vast array of activities that are available to nurture their talents and to raise their aspirations. For example, they attend netball, sign language and debating clubs.

Governors know the school very well.

Trustees are committed to continuously developing staff and leaders to a high calibre. Governors and trustees have the necessary skills to hold the school to account for the quality of education that pupils receive. In addition, they ensure that staff's workload is managed appropriately.

Staff reported that their well-being is considered carefully. They are overwhelmingly proud to work at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.