Tollgate Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy, well cared for and learn well. From the early years, they start to build firm foundations to set them up for their time in school.

They love the opportunities to broaden their horizons through experiencing trips and visits. Pupils are proud to carry out their roles for the school council or eco council.

Pupils are safe in school.

They are confident that adults will listen and help make things better when they have worries. Pupils learn well because adults have high expectations of them. In lessons, and around the school, most pupils pay attention and work hard.

Older pupils provide strong role models for younger pupils to look up to....

Whether singing in the choir or practising their brass instruments, pupils fill the corridors with music. Those who perform their musical talents at the cathedral in Bury St Edmunds are proud to do so.

Pupils grow their own vegetables and fruit for eating in school dinners. Opportunities such as these help pupils make a real difference to their school and local community. Staff guide pupils to become responsible and active citizens of the future.

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

The school has an ambitious and wide-ranging curriculum. This equips pupils with the important knowledge and skills they need to be able to learn well. As they move through the school, pupils deepen their knowledge and skills in many subjects.

Adults skilfully support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The needs of these pupils are accurately identified by adults. Teachers make careful adaptions to activities which help pupils with SEND succeed in their learning.

The school know the pupils and families extremely well. The pastoral support is well tailored to help pupils and their families when they need additional help.

Making sure pupils learn to read confidently and communicate well are the school's top priorities.

Adults are expert at interacting with children in the Nursery and Reception classes. They help them to practise their growing vocabulary and make sure children speak correctly. Staff ensure that children develop a love of stories, poems and songs.

The school's phonics programme is well delivered by adults. They support pupils to become fluent readers. Those pupils who need extra help with reading receive highly effective support to help them catch up.

Teachers check carefully that pupils remember what they have learned. If a pupil makes a mistake, teachers are generally quick to correct these. In a few subjects, some teachers lack sufficient subject knowledge to help deepen pupils' understanding.

Where this occurs, staff are not adept at providing extra support and challenge.

Pupils listen carefully to adults and follow the 'rules of the road' as they walk around the school. Where some pupils need more guidance to help them behave, adults provide this.

The youngest children quickly understand the rules and routines of their classrooms. They play happily and learn together effectively. For example, they share equipment with kindness and consideration.

Many have pride in their work and enjoy sharing their learning with adults and visitors. Children in early years develop independence. The school's forest area allows them to take well-calculated risks when exploring the equipment and resources provided.

The school has a well-thought-out programme to support pupils' personal development. Pupils have a clear understanding of what makes them unique. They celebrate difference.

Whatever a person's background or belief, pupils treat everyone equally. Pupils know how to keep themselves fit and healthy, including how to look after their mental health. They learn about different relationships through the school's highly effective relationships and sex education provision.

Members of the local governing board hold a clear and accurate oversight of the strengths and development areas of the school. They make regular visits to school to see for themselves how well pupils are learning. While they provide challenge to leaders to ensure they continue to improve the school, governors balance this challenge with support for staff.

They carry out their duties delegated to them by the trust board effectively.

The school does much to look after staff, particularly around managing their workload. Staff receive regular and useful training to help them continue to improve their practice.

Much of this is through the trust, which works closely with the school to ensure staff receive high-quality support.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some teachers are still developing their subject and pedagogical knowledge to implement the school's' curriculum.

They do not always adapt activities or explain information as clearly as they could. This means that sometimes pupils do not develop deep and detailed knowledge of their subjects. The school should ensure it continues to provide training to support teachers in developing the skills and knowledge they need.