The Pastures Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The Pastures Primary School is a welcoming place where pupils build strong friendships with others.Pupils interact with each other and staff with courtesy and respect.

They are polite and well-mannered. Greeting each other and asking how each other are is normal practice throughout the day for all pupils and staff. Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and nurturing.

As a result, pupils are happy and feel safe. There is a family feel to the school. One pupil shared: 'My school is special because everybody is kind, and we treat everybody with respect'.

The school's motto, 'work hard and be kind' alongside its values, 'curiosity, courage, committed an...d kind,' serve the pupils well. Staff support individual pupils well so they develop their character. The school's parliament provides pupils with a platform to share their views and express their opinions.

Pupils are proud to be involved in these roles of responsibility.In lessons, pupils show high levels of engagement. They consistently follow routines and rise to the high expectations staff have of them.

They listen intently and show a real eagerness to do well. Pupils talk about their learning with pride.Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well.

Published outcomes for the school are high.

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

Children get off to a strong start in the early years. Curriculum planning ensures that learning in the Reception Year builds on what children have learned in the pre-school.

The provision is effectively organised around the different areas of learning. In addition to themed adult-led learning, children can follow their own interests, explore and take learning risks. There are clear routines and high expectations in place.

Children show high levels of independence. They can concentrate for sustained periods of time. Children are very well prepared for key stage 1.

The school prioritises reading. Staff are well-trained to deliver the phonics programme. Pupils enjoy reading and can talk about their favourite books in depth and with confidence.

The reading curriculum beyond phonics is well-considered. High-quality texts support pupils to develop their knowledge and skills in comprehension and vocabulary. The school provides pupils with a range of enrichment opportunities to develop their love of reading.

This includes visits by authors. Pupils' progress and achievement in both phonics and reading is high.

Mathematics is a strength of the school.

The curriculum is ambitious and there is clear progression from the early years through to Year 6. Teachers' subject knowledge is secure. Pupils enjoy mathematics and can talk about their learning confidently.

They use mathematical vocabulary to explain their thinking and methods. Books show that pupils reason and problem solve regularly. Teachers use assessment effectively to adapt planning so that misconceptions are addressed quickly.

Pupils make strong progress in mathematics and achieve high outcomes.

The school has worked hard to develop the wider curriculum and refine sequences of learning for the foundation subjects. The curriculum intent is clear, and subjects are enriched through a range of experiences.

However, the ambition of the curriculum in some of the foundation subjects is not yet realised. There is some inconsistency in the implementation and impact of the wider curriculum. 'Quizzing' is used as a tool to check how well pupils remember what they have been taught.

Pupils can remember surface level facts and concepts. However, their depth of knowledge and understanding in some of the foundation subjects is not as strong as it could be.

Pupils' behaviour is exceptional.

Pupils behave with consistently high levels of respect for others. Pupils consistently display highly positive attitudes to learning and have a strong commitment to their education. Pupils actively support the well-being of other pupils.

Pupils are proud of their school. Rewards and awards are directly linked to the school's values. The school's parliament is actively involved in developing the reward system further through the recent introduction of 'Super Dupers'.

Personal development is prioritised. The school's vision for pupils to, 'leave as respectful, tolerant, kind individuals who contribute to society' is considered in all aspects of school life. Pupils understand the importance of tolerance and respect.

Pupils access a wide range of clubs and experiences. There is strong take-up of these opportunities. Disadvantaged pupils benefit from this excellent work.

There is a wide range of opportunities for pupils to develop their leadership skills. They take great pride in these roles. The way the school goes about developing pupils' character is exemplary.

The school is well led and managed. Leaders are ambitious and the school's vision is clear. Staff are well supported with regards to their workload.

Their well-being is carefully considered. Staff enjoy working collaboratively in teams. They value the wide range of training opportunities available to them.

Governors fulfil their statutory duties.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The ambitious curriculum intent is relatively new in some foundation subjects.

Pupils have not yet built up a thorough understanding of these subjects over time. As a result, there are gaps in pupils' knowledge. The school should ensure that the content the curriculum is embedded consistently well so pupils can achieve highly in all subjects.