Riverside Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a large, vibrant and happy primary school in the heart of the city. There is a wonderfully inclusive culture in which everyone feels welcome and everyone belongs.

The school's aim 'for every child to become a happy, responsible and effective citizen' is realised through a relentless drive by staff to do the very best for each and every pupil.

There is also a tireless ambition for pupils to achieve well. As a result of the excellent relationships and caring environment, pupils work very hard to match the high expectations that staff set.

Their work across the curriculum is of high quality, and they take great care to do their best.

Pupils' beh...aviour is exemplary; they are kind and considerate. This is recognised by staff, parents and the pupils themselves.

There is a safe culture here in which pupils feel secure and confident. Incidences of poor behaviour are rare, and there is no tolerance of bullying. If either happens, pupils have total faith in adults to sort it out quickly.

The behaviour policy is well understood by all. It is successful because it actively teaches pupils about their behaviour through simple rules and supportive, restorative conversations.

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

The school has given much thought to the curriculum.

In all subjects, the curriculum identifies what pupils will learn in nursery and up to Year 6. The curriculum makes deliberate links between subjects. These links are helping pupils deepen their understanding by making content meaningful.

For instance, pupils in Year 5 learn their science and geography through answering the question, 'What makes the world angry?'

Teachers and support staff make lessons thoroughly engaging and enjoyable for pupils. They provide information clearly and use subject-specific vocabulary precisely. This means that pupils gain a secure understanding of concepts such as the water-cycle in science or how to describe the pitch, pulse and rhythm in music.

They become skilled mathematicians, and are able to recall and apply number facts competently. Pupils develop a secure knowledge of the curriculum that prepares them well for secondary school.

There is an absolute passion for providing the very best education for disadvantaged pupils.

Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive support that helps them access the full curriculum, and they achieve well. There is a relentlessness to how this support is reviewed and adapted, which ensures it is highly effective. If any pupil has a barrier to learning, a skilled SEND leadership and the pastoral team work tirelessly to remove it.

The inclusive culture of this school shines through and is exemplary.

The curriculum at Riverside extends well beyond the academic. There is a vast range of valuable opportunities and experiences for pupils that promote their personal development.

Pupils take on meaningful leadership roles and make a tangible difference to their school. For example, the school council has brought about changes in school lunches and playtime equipment. Pupils support one another by becoming lunchtime heroes and playtime buddies.

They share their computing expertise and love of reading by becoming digital leaders and library leaders.

There are many clubs that pupils can join, including British Sign Language and an array of sporting ones. There is high attendance at these clubs, including for disadvantaged pupils.

The school ensures that children in the early years get off to a flying start, especially when learning to read. They quickly become skilled listeners, and are keen to show off their phonics knowledge. In Reception, children receive daily phonics lessons taught by highly skilled and well-trained staff.

Staff are precise in how they teach phonics and are expert at identifying the moment children fall behind or have misconceptions. This rigour ensures that most keep up well. If children do fall behind, teachers provide additional sessions or adapted lessons that are matched to their specific needs.

The ambition that all pupils become fluent readers is one shared by all staff wholeheartedly. As pupils move through school, they develop a love of reading and do so widely and very often. Teachers read to pupils every day, and this too helps develop a deep, genuine love of literature.

There is a highly successful collegiate culture. Staff, including those at an early stage of their careers, receive regular, focused support and training. This brings an impressive level of consistency in how they deliver the curriculum.

Staff report that leaders at all levels are caring and considerate about their workload and well-being. They are enormously proud to work here, and this shines through in the endless positivity seen throughout the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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