Tany’s Dell Primary School and Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Tany's Dell is a very happy school.

In this safe environment, pupils develop independence and confidence. They approach adults with big smiles on their faces, and engage maturely in conversation.

Pupils learn to value kindness.

They support each other if anyone gets upset. Pupils do not accept any bullying or discrimination of any sort. They appreciate the way leaders resolve any difficulties in relationships between peers.

As soon as children start at the school in the early years, they respond to the high expectations that leaders set. Children settle very quickly, enjoy learning, and make rapid gains in the well-resourced early years classes.
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In lessons, pupils show very positive attitudes to learning.

Pupils are polite, caring, and thoughtful with each other and adults. There is an atmosphere of calmness around the school.

Pupils at Tany's Dell enjoy learning.

They talked with relish about what they know. This includes older pupils discussing complex mathematical calculations in the playground, and younger ones asserting the importance of healthy eating. Pupils' enthusiasm embodies the school's motto to 'reach for the stars'.

They are very proud of their school.

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

Leaders plan the curriculum carefully. They consider how learning builds from early years, and how pupils develop and make connections about what they know over time.

Because of this, as pupils move through the school, their knowledge grows. Older pupils apply what they know in high-quality work and talk. While this is mostly the case, in a few subjects, such as geography and personal, social and health education (PSHE), the subject content is less clearly designed.

Leaders do not identify what should be taught and when. Consequently, on occasion, pupils recall their learning less well. Leaders know this and plan to amend it.

Teachers are confident in their knowledge of the curriculum. They are trained effectively and know the different subjects well. Where teachers need more help, such as in teaching Spanish, leaders ensure that they get it.

Teachers check pupils' understanding. They correct misconceptions skilfully. Leaders have identified gaps in learning resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and teachers rectify these.

This ensures that pupils achieve well. For example, children in early years who had gaps in their writing skills are being given additional help to use the correct pencil grip to write well-formed letters. Year 4 pupils who struggled with extended writing get support to create well-crafted stories about the Vikings.

Leaders understand the importance of early reading. Leaders have recently introduced a new phonics scheme. They have planned this meticulously and implemented it successfully.

Staff are expert at teaching it. Because of this, pupils quickly learn to read with fluency. Adults use phonics skilfully to help pupils improve their spelling.

Pupils learn to love reading and described their enjoyment of the books they read.

Children get off to a flying start in the early years. Adults have planned the curriculum meticulously and are adept at developing children's language and communication skills.

Children learn to read and enjoy gaining a secure grasp of number. Children are very settled learning in a calm environment. Adults help children develop confidence especially when learning in the outside areas.

Children achieve well especially those with SEND.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive skilled support. Leaders are passionate and knowledgeable about helping these pupils.

Leaders identify the needs of pupils with SEND accurately, and review them regularly. When extra help is needed, leaders are resourceful in making sure that pupils get it. Because of this, hearing-impaired pupils in the specialist unit access the same curriculum as their peers.

Pupils with SEND, including those in early years, progress very well in their learning.

While most pupils attend well, there are a minority of pupils who have high absence. Although leaders have taken steps to improve this, their actions have not been effective.

Some pupils miss important aspects of their education. Leaders are increasing their rigour and systems to ensure that more pupils attend school regularly.

Pupils are well-prepared for life in modern Britain.

They talked confidently about 'difference'. They develop detailed knowledge of other faiths and cultures, such as through dancing at religious festivals in key stage 1. Sometimes the COVID-19 pandemic has limited opportunities for pupils to develop their character or take part in extra-curricular activities.

Leaders have created alternatives, for instance a 'Dragons' Den' activity to fundraise for charity.

Governors are dedicated and support leaders well. They have an accurate understanding of the strengths and hold leaders to account for ongoing improvements to the quality of education.

Governors have closely monitored leaders' work on safeguarding, for example pointing out the required improvements to the school's single central record of employment checks.

Leaders support staff well. Staff praised how well they are trained, and how leaders help them develop their careers.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure that safeguarding children is at the heart of the school's work. Staff are vigilant in spotting and reporting concerns.

Leaders keep thorough records and check regularly on cases. They have created rigorous processes to ensure that no information about a child at risk is missed. Safeguarding cases are often caused by neglect, and leaders respond to this sensitively by supporting families.

Leaders are tenacious in dealing with agencies to make sure that children get the help they need.

Leaders teach children effectively how to be safe, for example online. Pupils said that they feel safe, and parents and staff strongly agreed that this is the case.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few areas of the curriculum, leaders' curriculum thinking and design is not as well considered. Because of this, pupils do not remember some aspects of their learning well nor deepen their knowledge and skills in all subjects. Leaders should ensure that all areas of the curriculum are consistently well-designed and implemented.

• Leaders' actions to improve the low attendance of a minority of pupils are not effective. As a result, these pupils miss out on aspects of their education. Leaders should make sure that they develop effective strategies to improve the attendance of the lowest-attending pupils.