Pulford CofE VA Lower School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school values of faith, hope and love permeate the school and underpin everything it does.

Pupils see the school as a family that they are all part of. Anyone new to the school gets a warm welcome and quickly feels part of the 'family'. Pupils are kind and supportive towards each other.

Pupils work hard to meet the staff's high expectations for them to achieve well. They enjoy explaining what they are doing and discussing this with each other and adults. Pupils thrive on people asking them questions about what they are doing so that they can explore their thinking even further.

This enables pupils to make progress with their learning so that they are read...y for middle school.

Pupils regularly learn outdoors. This helps to develop their resilience, imagination and understanding of nature.

The environment is important to pupils. They have an eco-council so they can explore how they can improve their school environment. Pupils can also take on roles such as faith leaders and school councillors, which helps them to develop their confidence and bring about changes within the school.

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

Pupils study a curriculum that gives them a broad foundation of knowledge. In many subjects, the school has carefully identified the knowledge that pupils should learn. This is organised so that pupils can build on their knowledge and their skills over time.

Staff have strong subject knowledge. The discussions and questioning that teachers choose ensure that they challenge pupils to think around the subject. Staff constantly check how much pupils can remember and do.

Staff put in support that pupils need quickly to ensure that they can keep up with their class. Pupils, therefore, usually progress well.

In a few subjects, teachers do not know and use the precise knowledge and vocabulary that the pupils have previously learned.

Consequently, pupils are not making as much progress in these subjects.

The school is ambitious for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff are well trained to be able to identify pupils' needs as soon as possible.

This enables staff to make adaptations or seek external support quickly. Staff know pupils' needs well. This enables teachers to adapt the curriculum to meet pupils' needs.

This ensures that most pupils with SEND achieve well.

The school has carefully chosen the phonics scheme to ensure that it is suitable for the pupils that attend the school. Children start to learn to read from the early years.

Parents are well supported to read with their children and have access to resources to enable them to do this. Staff have been well trained to teach phonics effectively. They check pupils' knowledge frequently.

They give extra help to stop pupils from falling behind. This ensures there is a consistent approach that helps pupils to become confident, fluent readers.Pupils can access a range of texts from different cultures and topics from the well-stocked school and class libraries.

Staff introduce pupils to new authors and different genres through story time and reading sessions in lessons. This helps pupils to enjoy reading.

Behaviour around the school is generally calm as pupils are respectful of each other and adults.

Pupils know what is expected of them. They understand rules, routines and the reasons for them. This starts in the early years.

Pupils learn that everyone is different. This helps them to be accepting and respectful to others.

There is a thorough and detailed curriculum to help pupils develop an understanding of the world around them.

Pupils know how to keep themselves safe and healthy. The faith trip allows pupils to explore the similarities and differences of other religions and prepares them for future life. The school helps pupils develop independence.

One way they achieve this is through the Year 4 residential visit.

The school is mindful of the staff's workload and well-being and considers this when introducing new things. Everyone appreciates the 'family feel' that the school has, including the governors.

Governors know the school well due to their active involvement. This ensures that the school continues to move forward towards achieving its vision.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few subjects, the vocabulary and knowledge that pupils have previously been taught are not used by teachers. Therefore, teachers do not use accurate vocabulary and knowledge to help pupils to build effectively on their previous learning. The school must ensure that, in all subjects, the vocabulary and knowledge that pupils have previously learned are clearly identified so that teachers can ensure that pupils consolidate and build effectively on what they have learned previously.