St Margaret’s School, Tintinhull

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils follow school values of inclusion and collaboration well. They are friendly, respectful and caring.

They say that 'other people should be treated as you would like to be treated yourself'.

Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. They teach pupils to be trustworthy.

Pupils respond positively to this and know how to behave well in different situations. They enjoy taking on responsibility and are keen to help around the school.

Pupils are attentive in class and keen to learn.

Those learning to read show a love of books. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn well. However, the curriculum in a sm...all number of subjects is not taught as precisely and effectively as it is in mathematics and English.

Parents say that their children feel safe and happy at school. Pupils report that occasionally, they do fall out, but this rarely escalates into a real problem. Most of the time, they resolve issues themselves.

However, adults always support them if they need help.

Many pupils enjoying attend school clubs such as sports and art. They are given meaningful opportunities to take on responsibility.

For example, school councillors worked with governors to shape the behaviour policy.

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

Leaders have high expectations for pupils' learning. Considerable improvements have been made to the design of the curriculum.

However, this work is not yet complete.

The English and mathematics curriculums are well designed and sequenced. This supports pupils to build their knowledge and skills securely over time.

Leaders have set out the essential knowledge all pupils must learn. This enables teachers to know precisely what to teach and when. Teachers check pupils' understanding to determine when they are ready to move on.

For example, teachers use dictation to practise and assess previously taught phonemes and spellings. This is helping pupils in key stage 1 to become fluent writers.

Leaders see teaching pupils to read as key.

They have made this area of the curriculum a priority. Children in the youngest classes get off to a strong start. In the Nursery, children develop a love of books through their class stories and their play.

In Reception and Year 1, the sounds that pupils learn are set out in a carefully planned sequence. Teachers use their strong subject knowledge to teach these sounds accurately. They routinely check pupils' understanding and help them to improve their learning if they are not getting it right.

Pupils read books matched to their knowledge of sounds. They practise sufficiently to become fluent in their reading.

In some subjects, the redesign of the curriculum is not yet complete.

Where this is the case, leaders have not identified the essential knowledge that pupils need to know or when it should be learned. Nor have they implemented effective assessment systems. Where this is the case, leaders are not able to assess the impact of the curriculum on pupils' learning, particularly of more complex concepts.

Pupils do not build their knowledge as well through these subjects.

Pupils with SEND learn the full curriculum alongside their peers. Staff working with these pupils know them well and make sure learning meets their needs.

Leaders regularly review these pupils' progress through the curriculum so that learning can be adapted appropriately.

Leaders support pupils' personal development well. Pupils are taught how to keep themselves physically healthy.

For example, they know about the importance of diet, keeping hydrated and getting enough sleep. Pupils know how to keep themselves safe online. They know not to share sensitive information on the internet and how to protect themselves from negative experiences.

Staff promote an understanding of fundamental British values. For example, the youngest children vote for their book of the day while older pupils elect representatives to the school council. This helps pupils to understand the concept of democracy.

In the Nursery, children follow established routines and know how to use the well-organised environment. They show sustained concentration when playing. Adults' prompts help them to build their ideas even further.

This helps children to be curious and interested in the world around them.

Governors evaluate the school's strengths and set pertinent priorities for improvement. They work with leaders to plan change and prioritise resources to support this.

Staff are proud to work at the school. They say that workload is a challenge but know leaders value their work.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff and governors have appropriate training. All understand the importance of their role in safeguarding children. Governors carry out appropriate checks on safeguarding practice.

Staff are trained in spotting the signs of abuse. Leaders ensure that there are appropriate systems in place to report and record concerns. Concerns are reported in a timely manner.

Leaders know when to escalate concerns to external agencies.

Pupils know to seek help from a trusted adult if they are worried or have a problem they need help with. They know that staff will listen to them and support them.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, the essential knowledge that all pupils should know and remember has not yet been identified. As a result, pupils do not always learn the most important knowledge. They do not build their knowledge and understanding well.

Leaders need to identify the essential knowledge that pupils must know. They need to ensure this is sequenced effectively so that pupils know more and remember more in all subjects. ? Systems for checking pupils' understanding in the foundation subjects are not in place.

As a result, leaders do not know how well pupils learn the most important knowledge in the curriculum. Leaders need to ensure assessment identifies what pupils know and what is not yet understood and remembered. Leaders need to use this information to adapt the curriculum to support pupils' learning further.