Rothbury First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are incredibly proud to attend this happy and vibrant school.

The school's vision 'to be the best that you can be by doing the best that you can do' is lived out by all who are part of the Rothbury family. The school has the highest ambition for pupils, both in their learning and behaviour. Pupils rise to meet these expectations through consistently trying their best.

Pupils are safe, happy and enjoy coming to school.

Pupils show interest and enthusiasm in their learning. Their behaviour is exemplary in lessons and during social times.

Pupils demonstrate high levels of respect and kindness. They are thoughtful, well mannered and polite.
...r/>The relationships between adults and pupils are incredibly warm.

Staff know their pupils well and value them as individuals. They are attentive to pupils' needs. For example, staff provide art therapy sessions for emotional support for any pupils who may need it.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. One parent stated, 'The school puts the children at the centre of what they do, ensuring each child is given opportunities to flourish.' This view captures the opinions of many parents.

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

The school has based ambition for all at the centre of its curriculum thinking. It has carefully considered the important knowledge that pupils need to learn. Subject curriculums are well designed to build pupils' knowledge in a well-ordered way.

In most subjects, teachers deliver the curriculum with confidence. They provide pupils with many opportunities to revisit prior learning. Teachers check that pupils' knowledge is secure before they introduce new learning.

They address pupils' misconceptions quickly.

The school has created a culture where reading is celebrated. Staff stimulate a love of reading across the school.

From the Reception Year, children learn letter sounds and words in a structured and well-ordered way. As pupils develop their phonics knowledge, they are provided with books that match the sounds they know. Pupils quickly gain the knowledge and skills to become confident, fluent readers.

Those who struggle with learning to read are swiftly identified and extra support put in place to enable them to catch up quickly.

The school is swift to intervene if pupils are finding learning difficult. The school has taken effective action to improve pupils' multiplication knowledge after disappointing outcomes in the multiplication check in 2023.

In a small number of subjects, the way the school checks what pupils know and can do lacks rigour. Where this happens, gaps in knowledge are not identified and addressed as well as in other areas. This means that, on occasions, pupils do not achieve as well in these subjects as they do in others.

Children benefit from a well-designed curriculum in the early years. Staff make sure that children get off to a flying start. Children display a love for learning.

They sustain concentration in their play. Adults are expert at extending children's language through the varied learning opportunities that promote discussion. For example, when making pumpkin soup, staff took great care teaching children the vocabulary of cutting, chopping and grating.

There are strong systems in place to ensure that the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are swiftly identified. Staff make sure that pupils with SEND have access to the full curriculum alongside their peers. The school provides highly effective support to pupils with SEND.

Staff provide one-to-one support where required and appropriate adaptations to the curriculum are made. As a result, pupils with SEND achieve well. They are fully involved in the life of the school.

Pupils behave exceptionally well. They are focused in lessons. Pupils show determination and self-confidence.

A culture of respect and care is deeply embedded across the school.

Pupils access a range of opportunities and experiences to develop their confidence, character and resilience. Through the school's personal, social and health education programme and weekly character assemblies, pupils learn about healthy relationships, tolerance and equality.

Pupils display a secure understanding of fundamental British values and diversity. However, their understanding of other faiths and beliefs is less secure.

The school offers a variety of extra-curricular clubs for pupils to attend, including football, choir and Makaton.

Pupils develop their skills through musical opportunities and visits. Pupils learn how to manage the risk when choosing appropriate materials to build dens. Pupils develop into active citizens through the work of the school council.

They relished partnering with the parish council and other local groups to provide a school yurt.

School leaders and governors provide highly effective leadership at Rothbury First School. They work well together.

Governors hold school leaders to account for the performance of the school with appropriate challenge and support. The determination for all pupils to be successful is a priority shared by all. The consideration given to staff's well-being and workload is far-reaching.

Staff value the professional development on offer to them. This impacts greatly on their teaching. Staff feel valued and enjoy working 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)

• In some foundation subjects, assessment is not as effective as it could be in identifying gaps in pupils' learning. This means that gaps in pupil's knowledge are not addressed quickly enough.

The school should carry out better checks so that gaps in pupils' learning can be addressed more effectively. While pupils are respectful of difference and diversity, they do not have a secure understanding of different faiths and beliefs. The school should develop this aspect of the curriculum so that pupils have a better understanding of a range of faiths and beliefs.