The Croft Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at The Croft Primary School.

They talk proudly to visitors about their learning and recommend the school wholeheartedly. The 'Croftie' values lie at the heart of the school. Pupils strive every day to embody these and 'be a Croftie'.

They feel safe because of the excellent relationships they build with their peers and the adults in school.

Staff care deeply for all pupils. Staff give pupils every chance to succeed and to shine.

The school has extremely high expectations of pupils. Pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve exceptionally well. As a result, they are exceedingly well prepare...d for the next stage of their learning.

Pupils' conduct and behaviour for learning are exemplary. From the early years, they grow into highly motivated, confident and independent learners. Across the school, pupils speak about the importance of showing support and encouragement to each other.

Pupils delight in the many clubs and trips the school offers that develop their talents and interests. They relish the wide range of opportunities to assume leadership responsibility. For example, pupils can be house captains, sports captains, head pupils and part of the 'Croftie Crew'.

There is an active pupil parliament. Its members enact change within the school in response to feedback from their peers.

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

Pupils follow a rich and ambitious curriculum.

This exceeds the breadth and depth of what is expected nationally. Starting in the early years, the school has expertly and meticulously crafted the curriculum. Essential building blocks of learning are clearly identified.

These are subsequently broken down into manageable steps. This enables pupils to build on their prior learning very effectively.

Pupils with SEND experience the same curriculum as their peers.

Staff skilfully adapt their teaching to meet pupils' needs. This ensures that these pupils can learn the curriculum and achieve exceptionally well. Teachers regularly check pupils' understanding.

This allows staff to address any gaps or misconceptions. No pupil is left behind in their learning. Consequently, all pupils achieve highly across the curriculum.

Provisional outcomes from 2024 show that pupils attain significantly above national averages. The high-quality work that pupils complete in school reflects this. Pupils talk about their learning with interest, enthusiasm and pride.

A love of reading permeates the school. This work begins in the early years, where children quickly learn the sounds that letters represent. Staff have the knowledge and skills to teach reading extremely effectively.

Pupils receive the targeted help that they need if they find reading difficult. This ensures that they keep pace with the phonics programme. The books that pupils read closely match the sounds they know.

This helps them to become confident, fluent readers who understand what they read.

Pupils adore reading for pleasure. They enjoy recommending books to each other and love spending time in the classroom 'book nooks'.

Pupils value the rewards that recognise their regular reading habits. The books that teachers share with pupils at the end of the day entrance them. These texts are chosen carefully as part of the rich reading canon.

The warmth and trust between pupils and staff are clear to see. Pupils eagerly embrace the 'Croftie' values and the behaviour expectations of 'show me 5'. They rarely need reminding to do their best.

These behaviours start when children join the school in the Reception Year. Children happily share with their friends and commend each other on their good work. Older pupils can join the 'Croftie Crew', which looks out for their peers at social times.

Pupils are delighted to come to school. This is reflected in their high attendance.

Staff take every opportunity to enhance and ignite pupils' curiosity and thirst for learning.

Carefully selected trips and visits enrich learning beyond the classroom. The school's curriculum, personal development, 'Croftie' values and behaviour expectations are all interwoven. Pupils show a deep understanding of fundamental British values.

They learn to understand and appreciate a range of religions and cultural influences. Pupils celebrate differences and understand that they should treat everyone with respect. This results in them being very well prepared for life in modern Britain.

The trust, governors, school leaders and staff are proactive and relentless in ensuring that each and every pupil receives high-quality education and care. The academic and personal development of every pupil is a priority. As a result, pupils love their school and being part of the school community.

This extends to staff, who benefit from highly effective professional development. Parents and carers rightly hold the school in the highest regard.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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