Priestmead Primary School and Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school is a vibrant and joyful place.

Pupils say that they love coming to school and parents and carers echo this. The school is truly at the heart of its community. Its success is underpinned by respectful working relationships.

All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), flourish academically and socially.

The trust has high expectations of what all pupils can achieve. The curriculum is ambitious and teaching supports pupils to know more and remember more.

This results in pupils being exceptionally well prepared for secondary school.

The school has very high expectations of how pupils behave. ...Adults make these expectations clear, supporting all pupils to meet them.

Excellent systems and highly effective staff training ensure that these expectations are delivered consistently. As a result, pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

Leaders make sure that pupils are kept safe at school.

Pupils spoke confidently about being able to talk to 'five trusted adults' should they have a concern. They know these people would take any concerns seriously and resolve them. Pupils enjoy the opportunities they have, such as interesting visits and a wide range of clubs.

They are proud of the roles they hold, such as 'Rights Respecting Ambassadors', prefects and sports leaders.

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

Leaders' excellent curriculum has been well planned so that pupils' learning builds over time. The school has carefully identified the essential knowledge and skills pupils need to know and remember.

Teachers present information clearly and consistently. They use effective strategies to help secure this learning in pupils' long-term memory. The trust places great value on developing its staff.

Staff at all levels speak highly of the professional development they receive. Staff recognise that curriculum changes over the last few years have not only improved the offer for pupils but also reduced their workload.

The school ensures that key content that pupils need to know is identified precisely.

For example, in history, pupils deepened their understanding that the Magna Carta was one of the first attempts to curb the power of the monarchy. Staff enabled pupils to link this understanding with how our current democratic system works. Support for pupils with SEND is highly effective; teachers adapt their teaching optimally.

Pupils from the specially resourced provision integrate in many lessons and succeed alongside their peers. All pupils achieve exceptionally well.

Teachers are highly skilled at identifying and addressing gaps in pupils' learning.

For example, in mathematics, teachers ask targeted questions to check pupils' understanding. This proficient use of assessment ensures that any pupils that may fall behind are quickly given the help they need to keep up.The trust is determined that every pupil will become a confident, avid reader.

Right from early years, children engage with books enthusiastically. For example, in Reception, children vote for which book they want the teacher to read at story time. Staff receive excellent training to deliver the phonics programme expertly.

Pupils therefore learn the sounds that letters make securely. There is a comprehensive catch-up programme to ensure that all pupils become fluent readers. The school ensures that pupils are exposed to a diverse range of books during their time at the school, including modern classics and Shakespearean sonnets.

Pupils across the school receive strong support to develop key knowledge and skills very well. For example, children in early years choose their own resources and tidy them away. Staff help pupils to develop an efficient pencil grip and learn to work collaboratively.

This means pupils are fully ready for their future education and next steps.

Routines are exceptionally well embedded across the school. This, along with pupils' excellent attitudes and high levels of motivation, means that learning time is maximised.

Leaders ensure that they oversee pupils' attendance very carefully.

The trust makes sure that there are extensive opportunities for pupils to experience character-building activities. These enrichment activities are carefully thought out.

Movie night, a school sleepover and short residential outings prepare pupils for the popular Year 6 water sports trip. Pupils talk of being 'ready, respectful and safe'. Staff encourage pupils to understand discrimination.

Pupils therefore explain that there is no place for discrimination of any sort in this diverse school. All this builds an environment where pupils want to learn and to spend time. This contributes to the school's high attendance rates.

The school makes sure that it provides strong emotional and well-being support for staff, pupils and families. Staff promote the importance of pupils staying physically and mentally healthy, for example through the benefits of exercise and healthy eating.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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