Rowlatts Mead Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are very happy to attend Rowlatts Mead Primary Academy. They display very positive attitudes to all aspects of school life. There are no disruptions to learning.

Pupils behave well and work hard. They value the rewards they earn for displaying kindness and for working hard. Pupils enjoy playing together.

They feel safe at the school and enjoy positive relationships with staff.

Pupils understand and celebrate diversity. They say that the best thing about their school is that it is multi-cultural and everybody gets along well.

The school helps pupils to learn about a range of faiths and cultures. Pupils celebrate many different religions and vis...it a variety of places of worship. They understand fundamental British values, such as respect and tolerance.

In the early years, children get off to an exceptional start. The school supports them to develop the social and communication skills they need to be ready for the next stage. Children quickly learn to read.

Throughout the school, pupils are supported to build their vocabulary. They talk confidently and maturely about what they have learned. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the support they need to enable them to enjoy the same opportunities as their peers.

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

The school is aspirational for all its pupils. The curriculum is ambitious. At all stages, and in all subjects, the curriculum identifies the important knowledge, vocabulary and skills that pupils should learn.

The curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils can build their knowledge over time. The school identifies when pupils with SEND will benefit from extra support. Curriculum plans are adapted so that all pupils can achieve well.

The school places a high priority on reading. Staff help pupils to learn to read accurately. The school supports pupils to gain the reading skills they need to access the curriculum in full.

Pupils who struggle with reading receive extra help to catch up. In the early years, children enjoy a wide range of activities based on interesting stories. In all classes, staff read to pupils every day.

Books are carefully chosen to help pupils learn about the world they live in. Pupils read from a wide range of texts, including poetry and non-fiction. Pupils of all ages enjoy reading.

They talk confidently about the books they have read.

In mathematics lessons, new knowledge is explained clearly. Pupils get lots of opportunities to practise new skills.

Staff check pupils' understanding and address any misconceptions quickly. There are lots of opportunities for pupils to revisit topics they have learned before. This helps pupils to remember what they have learned.

Pupils typically achieve very well in mathematics.

In most subjects, pupils learn the important knowledge identified in the curriculum. Pupils eagerly engage in discussions about what they are learning.

The school ensures that pupils can recall previous learning and helps them to make links to new knowledge. This helps pupils to remember what they have learned.

In some subjects, lesson activities do not reliably help pupils learn as well as they might.

On occasion, staff do not check that pupils are secure in what they have learned in the past. When this happens, pupils struggle to make sense of new knowledge. At other times, lesson activities do not focus sharply enough on the most important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember.

Consequently, sometimes pupils do not remember what they have been taught.

There is a well-planned curriculum to support pupils' personal development. In the early years, there are opportunities for children to learn how to work and play together.

Children enjoy lots of physical activities. At all stages, pupils learn how to take care of their physical and mental health. They learn about healthy relationships and consent.

The school makes sure that pupils know how to keep themselves safe, including online. Pupils develop mature attitudes. They are well prepared for their next stages and future lives.

Pupils enjoy playing together at playtimes. All pupils can enjoy playing football and taking part in other games. Pupils say they would enjoy the chance to take part in more sports and extra-curricular clubs at the school.

There are limited opportunities for pupils to take on positions of responsibility in the school. A small number of pupils are proud to represent the school as 'school executives'.

Staff are proud to work at the school.

Most value the support that the school gives them to manage their workload and well-being. Leaders from the trust know the school well. They provide valuable support and challenge to the school and share their very high expectations for what all pupils can achieve.

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 subjects, the school has not considered well enough how to deliver the planned curriculum. Lesson activities do not always help pupils build on their prior knowledge.

When this happens, they do not reliably learn and remember the knowledge they need. The school needs to make sure that lesson activities support pupils to learn and remember the important knowledge in the curriculum in all subjects. ? The school does not provide pupils with many extra-curricular clubs or activities.

There are limited opportunities for pupils to take on positions of responsibility in the school. Pupils miss out on chances to pursue their wider talents and interests. The school needs to make sure it provides these important opportunities for pupils, ensuring that disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND can take part in them actively alongside the other pupils.

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