Sutton Park Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils get an excellent education at this superbly led school. From reading to mathematics, and from science to art and design, the curriculum is exceptionally well organised.

Pupils learn a lot and achieve highly. What is more, there are lots of extra activities for them to do. After-school clubs cater for a range of interests and many school trips enable pupils to learn beyond the classroom.

On top of that, pupils have a voice in shaping school policy and take on many jobs that help others.

Leaders' worthy values and high expectations colour all aspects of school life. Staff feel supported in their work and are motivated to do their best for pupils.
.../>Behaviour around school is calm, orderly and respectful. The school's rules are fair, consistent and understood by all. Bullying is not accepted and pupils and staff keep a close watch to make sure it does not happen.

If any problems occur, staff deal with them promptly.

Pupils and parents are full of praise for the school. They particularly value the top-quality leadership, teaching, level of care and attention to safety.

Inspection evidence supports these views. Communication between school and home is exceptionally strong.

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

Dedicated, informed leadership has lifted this school to many successes.

A striking feature of leaders' vision is the ambition that, whatever their starting point or background, every pupil can achieve much and be proud of their contributions. To this end, they have established a culture where everyone is supported to learn to read. Whether they learn quickly or slowly, staff give pupils the books and teaching they need to master phonics and keep up.

Once pupils can read fluently, they get many varied opportunities to read widely.

The curriculum from early years to Year 6 is very well organised with quality guidance and resources. Nothing is left to chance.

Teachers know exactly what to teach and no time is wasted. Informed subject-specific training also means that staff know what to emphasise, revisit and practise. Because staff are so well informed about what pupils need to know, they also know what to check when they carry out assessments.

All of this helps to ensure that staff workload is focused, purposeful and manageable.

In art and design, for example, staff follow expert guidance that enables them to build pupils' knowledge of different aspects of art. They take inspiration from artists and apply what they know to produce some impressive and original work.

Mathematics, science, computing, music and physical education also present many exceptional strengths.

The quality of this excellent and inclusive curriculum is reflected in the rapid progress that children make in early years and key stage 1. It is also evident in the high standards they achieve in Year 6.

These high standards can be seen in more than just test results. Regular liaison with key stage 3 colleagues helps staff to shape the curriculum in all subjects so that learning paves the way to secondary school readiness. Furthermore, leaders' accurate identification of any special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) enables staff to target support with expert precision.

In the specialist language unit, for instance, the curriculum is equally ambitious in the goals it sets for pupils, and in the way staff support and steer pupils to do their very best.

Beyond lessons, there are many remarkably strong aspects. In class and outside, pupils exemplify the school's values of perseverance and optimism.

In lessons, even the very youngest children listen carefully to their teachers and make constructive contributions to classroom learning. On the playground, pupil anti-bullying champions watch out for any upsets. Older pupils organise games for others.

These responsible behaviours flavour school life and help each day to run smoothly. Furthermore, there are many enrichment activities and clubs, and take-up is high. School trips happen regularly, with well-attended annual residential trips for pupils in Years 2, 4 and 6.

Such activities broaden pupils' experiences, help to build character and lift aspirations.

Leaders and staff keep parents very well informed. In the early years, parents join their children to read with them in class each week.

Regular newsletters, a community café and parent workshops get parents involved in school life and build constructive links between home and school.

Leaders greatly value the full range of support available to them through the trust. Governance steers the school with informed strategic oversight.

Trustees and local governors understand their roles well. They have established a healthy mix of formal and informal systems that support and get the best from everyone.

In short, the school's leadership and its impact on staff, pupils and parents is second to none.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Everyone understands their role in keeping pupils safe. Leaders regularly update staff and parents about risks to watch out for.

They provide very clear guidance about what to do when concerns arise. They also bring in outside experts to provide advice and check that everyone knows the right things to do.

Staff teach pupils about safe, respectful behaviour.

The school's work on online safety is particularly notable, with important safety messages woven throughout the curriculum.

The correct checks on adults in school are done and recorded. Leaders check that everyone understands current policies, and what they mean for their everyday work.