Ravenshead CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a nurturing school. Relationships are positive. Pupils get on well with each other.

They enjoy working with the adults in school. One pupil said, 'It's a nice environment. There's always someone to help you.'



Pupils know the school's values. They understand the importance of taking care of their learning, their future, their community and the world. They are proud of the school's woodland area.

They enjoy learning outdoors, whatever the weather. Pupils talk enthusiastically about den-building, using the mud kitchen and exploring the area with their friends.

Behaviour around school and in lessons is positive.

Pupils enjoy t...he recognition they receive for positive conduct. They understand the school's behaviour policy and say that it is rare for anyone to move below the green 'traffic light'.

Leaders are ambitious for pupils to do well.

The pupil-run smart council ensures that all pupils have a voice. They make important decisions about their work. This is communicated in classes and through weekly newsletters.

Pupils are very proud of their work, including the recent successful fundraising work for charity.

Bullying is extremely rare. Pupils know that bullying is something that is done 'several times on purpose'.

They know where to get help should they need it.

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

Pupils learn a broad and well-planned curriculum. It helps them to understand communication, conflict, culture and conservation over time.

The vast majority of the curriculum is well sequenced. It makes clear what pupils should learn and remember at each point of their education. However, the implementation of the curriculum has been slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, pupils are at a relatively early stage of learning and remembering content. More time is needed for the curriculum to embed and to be refined. Additionally, a very small number of subjects have recently been reviewed and improved.

These are at the initial stage of being taught. Pupils have yet to learn and remember content in these.

Phonics is taught well.

The phonics programme makes clear the sounds that children should know at each point in their education. Teachers use consistent resources and teaching methods that help pupils to remember the sounds that they have learned. Teachers regularly check to make sure that no pupil is falling behind.

Those that need help to keep up are supported quickly.

Older pupils develop a love of reading. The weekly raffle tickets and online awards motivate them to read often and widely.

They are familiar with a wide range of authors. However, the curriculum for reading beyond phonics is not well sequenced. The curriculum sets out what pupils should learn by the end of each year.

It does not set out what pupils should know and be able to do at each point in the school year. Leaders are in the process of addressing this.

Children get off to a good start in early years.

They work collaboratively. The early years curriculum is well planned and sequenced. It shows precisely what children are expected to know and do at each stage of their education.

Leaders are skilled at delivering the curriculum based on children's interests.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Adults provide well-tailored help.

The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) makes sure that the plans to support these pupils describe the progress and improvements that are expected over time.

Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain. They learn about a wide range of cultures, religions and beliefs.

They are respectful of the views of others, even if these are different from their own. Older pupils develop a good understanding of some complex issues, including the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Pupils are proud of the roles that they play in school, including as worship leaders and well-being ambassadors.

The headteacher took up post just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Despite this, senior leaders have implemented a curriculum that is fit for purpose. They have galvanised the staff team, whose members share leaders' ambitious vision for the school.

Staff value the recent improvements that have been made. They say that leaders are considerate of their workload and well-being.

The governing body has a wide skill set.

Governors routinely provide leaders with effective challenge and support.

The school is held in high regard by parents and carers. A typical comment was, 'This is a fabulous school with fabulous teachers.

My child is thriving in the lovely, nurturing, professional environment.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders take the actions they need to in order to keep pupils safe.

Staff are well trained and know the signs to look out for. Concerns are quickly recorded and passed to leaders. While records are detailed and fit for purpose, they are not stored as systematically as they could be.

This means that leaders cannot retrieve information as quickly as they should.

Pupils know how to stay safe in the community and online. They know that they can turn to a trusted adult if they need help.

They know that they can go to the school's 'nest' if they are worried or upset.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Leaders take the actions that they need to in order to keep pupils safe. However, records are not stored as systematically as they could be.

This means that leaders cannot retrieve some information as quickly as they should. Leaders should ensure that safeguarding records are stored systematically and can be easily accessed by relevant personnel. ? Much of the school's curriculum is relatively new.

Pupils are beginning to learn and remember its content. However, more time is needed to embed the curriculum so that pupils consistently remember what they have learned across all subjects. Leaders should ensure that they embed and continue to refine the curriculum, so that pupils know and remember content over time.

• Reading beyond phonics is not yet fully sequenced. This means that leaders cannot be sure that content is taught in the best order. Leaders should ensure that the curriculum for reading beyond phonics is well planned and sequenced.

Also at this postcode