Sneinton St Stephen’s CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school provides an outstanding all-round quality of education and care. Pupils from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and faiths are welcomed into the school's thriving community. Parents and carers are full of praise for the school.

For example, they value the strong home-school relationships, the approachability of staff and the 'person-centred' ethos. All are confident that their children are happy and safe.

Pupils are justifiably proud of their school.

One pupil summed up the views of many when they said, 'The school has lots of nice people and it is full of joy.' Pupils' behaviour is excellent. They show respect for adults and for each other.
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In lessons, pupils display highly positive attitudes to learning. They develop secure knowledge and skills across the curriculum. The school's high expectations for pupils are realised through the consistently high standards achieved in national tests.

Pupils have an exceptionally strong voice at this school. They take on numerous leadership roles, such as for well-being, curriculum, attendance, digital skills, reading and many other areas. These opportunities enhance pupils' personal skills and enable them to make a significant contribution to the life of the school.

The school has received numerous national awards in recognition of its pursuit of excellence, in which disadvantage is 'not seen as a barrier'.

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

The school's curriculum is fully developed and embedded across all subjects. This includes the early years curriculum, which is recognised as the essential foundation for future learning.

Across the school, pupils benefit from well-planned and connected lessons and activities. They speak confidently about their learning and can apply what they already know when approaching new concepts.

In all subjects, including mathematics, geography and French, the curriculum has been carefully sequenced.

For example, children in the early years are gently introduced to French, before the formal learning begins from Year 3. By Year 6, pupils can speak and write in French with confidence and skill.

Staff have strong subject knowledge and awareness of pupils' individual needs.

Teachers skilfully adapt their methods to ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the curriculum alongside their peers. Due to the school's high expectations for all, disadvantaged pupils achieve highly.

The ambitious curriculum is underpinned by the school's strong values and four 'areas of exceptionality'.

These areas comprise: reading culture; pupil leadership; serving the community; and digital transformation. Pupils display impressive skills in using technology to enhance their learning across all areas of the curriculum. For many, this transforms their learning experience.

For example, pupils with SEND can access digital resources that are personal to their needs, in each lesson. Pupils with SEND are fully included in the life of the school.

There is a strong commitment to reading as the 'heartbeat of the school'.

This begins in the early years and continues throughout the school. In the early stages, pupils read from books that match the sounds they know. Those who need extra help receive intensive support.

All pupils are encouraged to develop a love of reading. Class reading corners and the impressive library area provide rich opportunities for pupils to enjoy books.

The early years provision provides an outstanding quality of education and care.

The curriculum is highly personalised to the children's needs. Staff work as a united team to ensure that children settle quickly and make the most of the rich learning environment. Parents are encouraged to be as involved as possible through the range of activities offered.

The school's curriculum is enriched and enhanced to promote pupils' broader personal development. This provision goes beyond the expected. For example, pupils' talents and interests are nurtured through the wide range of highly popular extra-curricular activities.

A celebration of diversity is at the heart of the school. There are opportunities for pupils to experience this first hand by visits to places of worship and by welcoming visitors to the school. Pupils understand the importance of treating everyone equally.

They express thoughtful views, such as 'Everyone has an equal right to an opinion.' Pupils have a sophisticated understanding of the term 'protected characteristics' and the fundamental British values. They are exceptionally well prepared for life in modern British society.

Staff morale is high. Staff value the training programmes available to develop their knowledge and expertise. They also praise leaders' concern for their well-being and workload.

All those responsible for governance fulfil their roles and statutory duties extremely well. There is a shared, ambitious vision for the school, which is fully realised and evident across all areas of the school's provision.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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