Seaside Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Seaside Primary School provides an exceptionally happy, welcoming environment for all. This very large school successfully ensures that pupils are well known as individuals.

Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school. One parent summed up the experiences of many when she reported to inspectors that her daughter 'runs in every day beaming as she is so excited'.

The school has very high expectations for pupils' achievement.

Staff work exceptionally skilfully with pupils from the Reception Year onwards to make these expectations a reality. Very well-planned academic learning is boosted by many clubs and activities. These ensure pupils fully develop the...ir wider interests.

Staff make excellent use of the local area to support learning. For example, pupils visit the beach and learn about where they live.

Pupils' behaviour is outstanding.

They are extremely keen to learn. They follow closely the school rules in lessons and at breaktimes. Pupils feel very well cared for and are safe.

They know they can turn to trusted adults if they have any worries. Pupils learn how to be active and healthy exceptionally well. Physical education is a big part of school life.

For example, older pupils were really looking forward to a football tournament with other schools on the day of the inspection.

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

The school's highly ambitious curriculum underpins pupils' great enjoyment of learning. Reading is a very high priority.

This starts in the Reception Year, where skilled teaching of phonics means pupils get off to an excellent start. From there, the very great majority learn to read quickly. The school rapidly spots those needing more support and helps them catch up.

Pupils' love of reading is striking. They are keen to spend time in the two well-stocked libraries and to make the most of their reading times.

Staff work industriously to plan pupils' learning.

They ensure it builds very securely on what pupils already know so that their achievement is outstanding. The school is highly reflective about its work. Last year, it identified room for improvement in how many pupils are supported to work at levels above those expected by the end of Year 6 in writing and mathematics.

Very effective steps to tackle this mean it is now happening. Early years provision is exceptionally well designed to support all the required areas of learning. Pupils build really well on teacher-led learning when choosing what to do for themselves.

Across the school, staff are very skilled at explaining new learning. They use a rich range of strategies, including visual examples and discussion, to ensure pupils understand. Staff correct any mistakes or misunderstandings accurately.

The school identifies carefully any pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Teachers expertly adapt what they are doing to support these pupils. The school monitors closely pupils' progress over time.

Effective action is taken where pupils need help to learn more confidently.

From the very start, staff apply the school's high expectations for behaviour consistently. This ensures pupils learn how to behave exceptionally well.

Pupils settle very quickly after breaktimes and are keen to learn. They follow closely adults' instructions. As a result, the school offers a remarkably calm environment for learning.

Pupils learn to be persistent, even when learning is hard. Pupils are very keen to attend school and rarely miss days. The school supports effectively any families where pupils' attendance is a worry.

Support for pupils' personal development is outstanding. Carefully considered experiences in personal development lessons, in subjects across the curriculum and in assemblies mean pupils are exceptionally well prepared for later life. They treat each other with great respect and tolerance.

They learn very well about leading healthy lives and about healthy relationships. A vast range of clubs and activities support social and cultural development. They are highly valued by pupils.

The school supports pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they also benefit. Pupils prize the very many leadership opportunities they have, including as head boy and girl, being sport or library monitors or being in the 'green' group leading environmental activities.

Leaders are highly committed and passionate about the school.

Engagement with parents is exceptional, both to communicate about what their children are learning and if parents have any worries. Leaders' vision for excellent academic and personal development is fully realised. They identify and tackle any areas for improvement sharply, for example further improving pupils' achievement this year.

Staff are very proud to work at the school, and leaders work closely with them to manage their work if they have concerns. Governors and trustees collaborate skilfully to support and challenge school leaders.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.