Purleigh Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils value being part of this welcoming school where everyone has a 'buddy'.

In Reception, children quickly learn and demonstrate the school's values.

Pupils learn remarkably well how to care for each other. During lessons, pupils support each other and celebrate each other's success. Older pupils earnestly take on their responsibilities as positive role models and mentors for younger pupils.

On the playground and in the dining hall, older pupils show younger pupils the high expectations of conduct at the school. Pupils are certain that bullying is very rare. When disagreements happen between pupils, they learn how to resolve their differences and let go of... negative emotions.

Pupils know that learning is important. Children in Reception delight in learning and take pleasure in exploring the world around them. Pupils work hard to achieve the school's aim for them to develop as 'young scholars'.

They successfully investigate the world through the lenses of the subjects they study.

Pupils benefit from the school's opportunities for them to develop talents and interests. Pupils enjoy the various clubs available, including sporting and wider pursuits.

They are well prepared for their next steps in education as well-rounded individuals.

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

The school has high ambitions for what pupils learn and can achieve. The curriculum is very well designed for most subjects.

Leaders have provided precise guidance for teachers to ensure that they teach knowledge in sensible steps. This helps pupils build their understanding without being overloaded or confused.

Teachers deliver the curriculum well.

They understand pupils' learning needs and arrange effective learning activities. This includes providing effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers check what pupils know and understand.

When pupils find it difficult, staff provide immediate support so that pupils keep up and do not fall behind.

In most subjects, teachers give pupils lots of opportunities to review what has previously been taught. This helps pupils remember important knowledge over time.

However, in some areas of the curriculum, teachers do not review knowledge as effectively. In these subjects, pupils forget key knowledge over time.

In recent years, the school redesigned its approach to teaching reading.

This is having a positive effect both on pupils' enjoyment of reading and their achievement. Starting in Reception, staff consistently deliver the school's phonics scheme, so pupils learn what they need to read fluently. The school's carefully considered reading curriculum is helping pupils to access and understand sophisticated texts.

Pupils who find reading hard are well supported to catch up.In Reception, staff provide children effective opportunities to learn the curriculum through play. As a result, children learn what they need to be ready for the expectations of key stage 1.

The school has a thorough approach to the identification of the needs of pupils with SEND. Leaders provide precise guidance for teachers to plan effective learning activities. Staff use leaders' guidance to ensure that these pupils get what they need and, consequently, learn well.

The school's well-established ethos and consistent approach to managing behaviour ensure that pupils behave impeccably. Starting in Reception, pupils learn to sustain their concentration for extended periods of time. Pupils are courteous and demonstrate maturity during class discussions.

They listen intently to their teachers and peers. Leaders provide highly effective support for any pupils that find it difficult to regulate their emotions and behaviour. These pupils contribute positively to lessons and the overall school community.

Pupils enjoy school and they attend regularly. Where there are instances of pupils who struggle to attend school, leaders work well with families and provide effective support. As a result, pupils' attendance improves markedly.

The school supports pupils' personal development well. Pupils learn about different lifestyles and beliefs found in modern society. They respect and show interest in others' differences.

Pupils are well prepared for adult life with the understanding they need about how to maintain positive relationships.

Parents and staff are confident in the leadership of the school. Parents are rightly proud of the school's heritage as a strong school serving the local community.

Staff are similarly proud of the school and enjoy working there. Staff appreciate how leaders support them to maintain a reasonable workload.

Trustees and governors carry out their duties effectively.

They have an accurate understanding of the school and hold leaders accountable for the quality of provision at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• While teachers give pupils plenty of opportunities to review what has been taught, there are occasions when this is not done as effectively.

When this happens, pupils forget some of the key knowledge they need to learn. The school must ensure that staff review important knowledge in all subjects consistently well. This will enable pupils to build securely on what they have learned equally well throughout all areas of the curriculum.

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