St Nicholas’ Primary and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Nicholas' Primary and Nursery School is a highly nurturing, inclusive and close-knit community where staff and pupils feel valued and appreciated. The school's vision of 'live, love, learn and be happy' is central to everyday routines. Pupils have a profound sense of responsibility towards others.

They are excellent role models.

The school has high ambitions for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As a result, pupils work hard and learn well.

Their behaviour is exemplary. Pupils take great pride in their community. They celebrate it through the 'international celebration evening' where families share their... cultures with each other.

This helps to develop pupils' understanding of the local community and wider world.

The notable experiences the school provides are finely woven into the curriculum. Pupils thoroughly enjoy the after-school clubs, which help them pursue their interests and hobbies.

They are particularly fond of the ceramics and forest school clubs. Pupils learn about different religions and festivals. They routinely debate and discuss important topics such as racism and individual liberty.

As one Year 5 pupil said, 'At St. Nicholas', you can be whoever you want to be.'

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

The school's curriculum is ambitious and interesting.

It is well organised and provides teachers with the essential knowledge that they intend pupils to learn across different subjects and over time. Well-trained staff check and make sure that pupils with SEND have the help and support they need to access the same learning as their peers. Pupils in the resource base are equally well supported and participate fully in wider school life.

Overall, pupils achieve well. Staff use skilful questioning to promote rich discussion using precise vocabulary. For example, in history lessons, pupils talk confidently about the tools, material and food from the Iron and Stone Ages.

Staff often check pupils' understanding by revisiting concepts and making connections with previous learning, but this is not yet consistent. This means that sometimes teachers do not know that pupils have gaps in their understanding.

The school promotes a love of reading.

Children in Nursery are exposed to many exciting stories that are linked to their learning and develop their love of books from an early age. Pupils enjoy the diverse range of texts that teachers read and share in lessons. Pupils demonstrate a strong appreciation of a range of authors and the books they write.

The school has prioritised the importance of early reading. It is determined that younger pupils learn to read swiftly. Expertly trained staff ensure that they closely follow the phonics scheme.

This supports pupils to gradually develop a secure knowledge of sounds and words. Pupils read books that closely match the sounds they have learned. Consequently, pupils develop into fluent and confident readers.

Pupils behave exceptionally well in class and around school. They are highly motivated in lessons and demonstrate superb attitudes to learning. When moving around the school and in the playground, pupils consistently show great self-discipline.

Children in early years are equally considerate and co-operate well. Staff swiftly establish very clear routines and model expected behaviour. This helps children to understand how they are expected to behave.

The warm and positive relationships encourage children to be highly motivated, even when they face challenges with their learning.

Pupils' personal development is first class. They use their democratic voice to purposefully influence change.

For example, pupils raise community awareness about the impact of litter on climate change. They acquire excellent discussion and debating skills. Pupils experience working with a range of visitors such as scientists, engineers and artists during STEM weeks.

This helps them to learn about different potential careers. Pupils have a very well-developed understanding of healthy relationships and fundamental British values. This helps them to develop an exceptionally strong understanding of equality and diversity.

As one Year 6 pupil said, 'Everyone is welcome here, no matter where they come from.' Leaders, including governors, know the school well and what needs to further improve. They hold each other to account well.

Leaders engage well with staff and are committed to their development. They provide high-quality training which supports staff to develop their teaching.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, the assessment of pupils' learning lacks precision. As a result, staff do not accurately identify pupils' gaps in learning. The school should ensure that staff know the precise knowledge and skills they intend pupils to learn and remember and make sure that teachers routinely check pupils' understanding of this content.

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