Thrapston Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Thrapston Primary School is a happy school. Pupils feel safe. Staff and pupils are welcoming.

Pupils are very well cared for by staff. Typically, one pupil commented: 'The teachers are really supportive. They listen to us and there is always someone to talk to.'

Pupils value the time they can spend in 'The Hub', where they can share any worries that they might have with an adult.

Leaders and staff set high expectations for pupils' learning and behaviour. Pupils behave well in lessons.

Pupils understand the rules of being 'ready, respectful and safe'. They value the rewards they receive, particularly the raffle tickets they get for reading regularly.... Pupils say bullying sometimes happens.

Most pupils are confident that adults deal with incidents of bullying effectively. Pupils are proud to be 'bully busters'. They enjoy looking after others.

This is an inclusive school. Leaders ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the ambitious curriculum with their peers. The pastoral support for all pupils is a strength of the school.

Pupils have access to some clubs after school. These include football and taekwondo. Leaders know that more experiences beyond the classroom will enhance pupils' interests and talents.

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

Leaders provide an ambitious curriculum for all pupils, including children in the early years. In most subjects, leaders have identified the knowledge that pupils need to learn and remember. This starts in the early years and builds in a logical way through the school.

In these subjects, pupils achieve well. In a small number of subjects, leaders have not yet decided the essential knowledge that pupils will learn clearly enough.

Teachers have a secure understanding of the subjects they teach.

They plan learning that is purposeful and interesting. Teachers assess pupils' knowledge to identify any gaps in their understanding of their learning. This is helping pupils to know and remember more of the intended learning.

Pupils talk about their learning with confidence.

Staff have raised the profile of books and reading across the school. The well-stocked libraries are full of interesting books to read.

Pupils enjoy reading. They understand the importance of learning to read. One pupil told an inspector: 'Reading helps you learn new words.

It also helps with our spelling.' Staff teach phonics in a systematic way. This helps pupils to practise the sounds that they need to learn at the right time.

Most pupils read books that are closely matched to the sounds that they know. As a result, pupils become fluent readers. Pupils who may be at risk of falling behind receive help so that they can catch up quickly.

Children in the early years learn to read as soon as they start in the Reception class. Staff work effectively to develop younger children's understanding and pronunciation of words while they enjoy rhymes and stories in the Nursery class. There are well-established routines in the early years.

Children listen to each other and their teachers. They take turns and share. Children are settled and happy.

Adults and pupils have supportive relationships. In lessons, pupils behave well and focus on their work. Pupils attend school regularly.

Most pupils demonstrate the school's 'reach' values of respect, empathy, ambition, collaboration and honesty.

Teachers are skilled at identifying pupils who may have SEND. Pupils with SEND follow the same curriculum as their peers.

Appropriate information is shared with staff to support pupils with SEND. Staff know the pupils well. Additional adults ensure that all pupils are included and experience the full curriculum.

Teachers adapt the curriculum to make sure pupils know more and remember more.

Pupils learn about the cultures and beliefs of others. They are respectful of difference and diversity.

Pupils understand the British values, including democracy and the rule of law. They know how to keep themselves safe, including when they are using the internet. At present, there are limited opportunities for pupils to develop their talents and interests outside of the classroom.

Parents and pupils want to see after-school opportunities return to the levels on offer before COVID-19. Leaders have not thought carefully enough about how to develop pupils' cultural experiences. They plan to develop more meaningful opportunities for pupils to experience visits and trips.

These will help to prepare pupils for life in the wider world.

Governors offer support and challenge to leaders and staff in equal measure. They work hand in hand with leaders to support staff's well-being and workload.

Staff feel valued and supported by leaders and the governing body.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders provide staff with regular, useful training so that they know how to keep pupils safe.

Staff know how to report and record concerns effectively. Leaders seek additional support from other agencies when needed.

Leaders are aware of potential local safeguarding risks.

They have adapted the curriculum to support pupils in knowing how to keep themselves safe, including when online. Pupils know how to report any concerns they may have for their own or others' safety.

Governors provide effective oversight of safeguarding policies and procedures, including the safe recruitment of adults.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few subjects, leaders' curriculum thinking is not as well defined as it is in others. This is because leaders have not identified which knowledge and vocabulary needs to be prioritised so that pupils are ready to learn what comes next in the curriculum. In these subjects, leaders should make clear the essential building blocks of knowledge that all pupils need to know and remember long term in order to achieve the curriculum's ambitious end points.

• Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, leaders have not provided enough opportunities for pupils to access extra-curricular activities and visits to enrich their cultural experiences. As a result, pupils have few opportunities to develop their own talents and interests or deepen their knowledge of life in modern Britain. Leaders should plan a rich and diverse programme of activities that will encourage pupils to be outward reaching and develop their interests and knowledge outside the classroom.