Springfield Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a school where staff are determined to give every child the best possible experiences of learning. Leaders and staff know every child well. All staff have high expectations of what pupils can achieve.

Pupils' personal development is exceptional in this school.

Pupils enjoy attending school and studying a wide range of topics across the curriculum. They like the trips that support their learning, for example to the Space museum and trips that stay overnight in Year 6.

Pupils eagerly take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities and exciting outings that the school provides.

Pupils value the experiences that their teachers provide fo...r them. They said that learning is exciting.

Teachers encourage pupils to read every day. Pupils said that they behave well in class. They said that bullying is rare, and when it does happen, staff deal with it successfully.

Pupils said that they feel safe in school.

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

Reading in school is a high priority. From Nursery onwards, pupils learn the phonics skills that they need.

Teachers are confident and knowledgeable in teaching phonics. Staff quickly help those pupils who find reading more difficult to catch up. Pupils say that they enjoy reading.

Pupils love earning rewards for reading at home. Children in early years are prepared well for Year 1. Staff work well with pupils to ensure that they gain confidence and fluency in reading as they move through the school.

Mathematics teaching is well planned and has improved since the last inspection. There is a clear plan in place that builds on previous learning. Teachers ensure that lessons allow pupils to revisit what they have learned so that they can confidently move on to new learning.

Effective teaching of mathematics prepares pupils well for the next stage of their education.

Leaders carefully plan what pupils need to learn. They make sure that teachers plan lessons to build on what pupils have learned before.

In some subjects, such as science and history, leaders are aware that on occasion pupils are not moving on to new learning quickly enough. This is slowing the progress some pupils make.

Personal development is a real strength of the school.

Leaders work tirelessly to make sure that every child has many different learning experiences. Staff give each pupil extensive and personal support so that they can become successful learners. Pupils are exceptionally well supported to become active citizens within their own community.

There are many different opportunities for pupils beyond the academic learning. Pupils attend Sheffield University and other local schools to take part in fun activities and experiences that broaden their learning. These visits support pupils' confidence and resilience and prepare them well for the future.

Pupils are exceptionally tolerant of each other's differences. One pupil said, 'At Springfield, we are one!' Pupils are attentive and listen well in class. Pupils have positive attitudes to their learning, and even when they struggle, they persevere.

Relationships between pupils and adults are warm and supportive.

The curriculum supports pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. These pupils are fully involved in the lessons.

They are supported by highly trained teaching assistants who know them well.

The headteachers are well supported by staff, who work relentlessly to improve the school and support the community. Staff value the support and training they are given.

They agree that leaders consider their workload and well-being.

Governors are supportive of the school and work well with school leaders. Governors know what the school does well and what it needs to work on next.

Most parents and carers rate the school highly and would recommend the school to others.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Keeping pupils safe at all times is a school priority.

Leaders make sure that the right checks on staff are made before they start work. Pupils say that they feel safe because their teachers look after them. Pupils are confident that they can talk to any staff member if they have a problem.

The school works well with other agencies to keep pupils safe.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Leaders are ambitious for all pupils to do well. This enables most pupils to learn well.

The school's curriculum is not always planned and sequenced sufficiently to ensure that pupils move on to new learning when they are ready. This means that for some pupils, they repeat learning that is already stored in their long-term memory before moving on. This is particularly evident in key stage 2 in science and history.