St Chad’s Patchway CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils demonstrate a strong understanding of the school's motto, 'learning to love and loving to learn', from the moment they join the school. All decisions and actions stem from the motto and the school's values. Pupils are supportive and caring of each other during learning and social times.

For example, older pupils are reading buddies for younger pupils. Such responsibilities play an active role in developing pupils' social and leadership skills.

Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary.

Classrooms are calm, purposeful places where pupils can learn and feel safe. Respect, tolerance and understanding are cornerstones of life at St Chad's P...atchway. All pupils are valued, and differences are celebrated.

Staff set high expectations for pupils who, as a result, strive to do their best. Pupils show resilience and do not give up when their work is challenging. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who also learn well and thrive in this inclusive school.

The wider development of pupils is exceptional. Extra-curricular clubs, such as curling and archery, develop pupils' talents and interests. Pupils understand the wider world and future careers through trips to places like Bristol City Docks and visits from construction companies.

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

The school has created an ambitious curriculum which sets out the important knowledge pupils need to learn in each subject. This knowledge has been carefully organised to ensure pupils revisit important information. Links are made between subjects to give pupils opportunities to apply their knowledge.

For example, in Reception, children identify 2D shapes in the artwork of Kandinsky. In design and technology, older pupils use their scientific knowledge of food groups to create healthy meals.

Leaders use research about how pupils learn to inform the school's approach to teaching.

This is a strength of the school because it ensures pupils learn the curriculum well. For example, in reading lessons, teachers model how to use evidence from the text to justify predictions. This provides pupils with a framework to base their work on.

Staff check on pupils' learning in lessons. They add extra challenge or more support, depending on pupils' needs. However, assessment information is not always used well enough to check the impact of the curriculum.

The school is in the early stages of improving this.

Pupils read confidently and fluently because reading is a high priority. Children learn phonics as soon as they start school in Reception.

Staff provide pupils with many opportunities to practise their reading. Books are well matched to the sounds pupils have learned. Staff make checks on how well pupils are learning the reading curriculum.

Pupils who have fallen behind rapidly catch up because they read often with well-trained adults. Pupils love reading the diverse range of books from well-stocked class libraries. Pupils enjoy 'DEAR' time (drop everything and read) and many attend the after-school 'reading café' with their parents and carers.

Pupils with SEND learn from the same curriculum as their peers. Staff understand pupils' needs. They make adaptations to ensure pupils with SEND learn alongside their peers.

Leaders work effectively with other agencies to ensure pupils get the extra support they need. This enables pupils with SEND to achieve success.

Pupils' behaviour and attitudes are impeccable.

The school's positive culture helps staff to build relationships with pupils based on mutual respect. In Reception, routines are quickly established. Staff help children understand and follow these well.

Pupils take responsibility for themselves and others. For example, pupils in Year 1 enjoy being role models for those who recently joined their class. Pupils love to learn.

They look for ways to improve their work and act on advice from staff. This means pupils learn the curriculum well and by Year 6 are well prepared for secondary school.

Provision for personal development is expertly woven through the school's curriculum.

Pupils learn about other cultures and different types of relationships. Prayer spaces are well used by children of all faiths or none. Pupils are highly considerate of other pupils' needs when they fast during Ramadan.

Being a representative of the eco-committee allows pupils to make key decisions about the school environment. This is important to them as they are committed to conservation. Pupils benefit from engaging with the wider community.

For example, they play board games with local nursing home residents.

Governors are knowledgeable and well informed. They make regular checks on school improvement and fulfil their statutory responsibilities.

Staff relish the high-quality training they receive. They are proud to work at this school and value leaders' support in managing their workload.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Assessment is not yet established in all subjects. As a result, in some subjects, pupils' recall of prior learning can be insecure. The school needs to ensure that assessment is used effectively to check what pupils know and remember across all subjects and so that this informs future teaching.