Uphall Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Uphall Primary School is an exceptionally diverse school where most pupils speak English as an additional language.

Staff know pupils and families individually. Positive relationships between staff, pupils, parents and carers ensure everyone is valued and included. Pupils thrive in the family atmosphere of this nurturing school.

The school has high expectations for pupils' learning and behaviour. Pupils have an excellent understanding of their moral and social responsibilities, which helps them meet leaders' expectations with great success.

The music offer is exceptional.

For example, every pupil in the school learns to play more than one instrument ...as they move from simple percussion to ukulele and then to keyboard. A specialist teacher provides weekly instrumental tuition to pupils. Weekly singing and listening assemblies provide an opportunity for pupils to sing together and appreciate music from around the world.

Many pupils belong to the choir, which performs each year at the Royal Albert Hall and the O2 Arena.

The ambitious and well-designed curriculum is underpinned by a rich programme of educational outings. For example, pupils enjoyed sharing their experiences of visiting the British Museum, Tower Bridge and the Cutty Sark.

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

The curriculum has undergone significant improvement since the previous inspection. The high-quality provision in English and mathematics is now reflected across the curriculum. The school has identified and sequenced the important knowledge, vocabulary and skills pupils should learn.

For example, in music, pupils are taught notation gradually from Year 1. This helps them to read music with increasing fluency and compose music using notation. Similarly, in mathematics, younger pupils learn fractions are part of a whole number.

This helps prepare them to understand improper fractions and mixed numbers later on.

Pupils typically develop a deep body of knowledge and understanding in different subjects. However, on occasions, teaching does not always deepen pupils' understanding of subject-specific vocabulary and related concepts as well as it could.

For example, some pupils do not secure an understanding of the important vocabulary needed to access the intended curriculum.

Reading is a top priority, beginning in the early years. Books are celebrated and enjoyed throughout school.

For example, the school invites parents to a 'culture day' to read stories in their home languages, fostering a love of reading across the school. Daily phonics lessons led by expert teachers ensure children in early years get off to a secure start in reading. Teachers quickly identify pupils who struggle to read.

They provide support, which ensures these pupils keep up with their peers.

In early years, the curriculum supports children to learn and play well together. Children who speak English as an additional language, including those who join part way through the year, settle quickly into school and are made to feel very welcome.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are included in all aspects of the school. Teachers expertly adapt their teaching to ensure that all pupils access the same learning as their peers. The school's internal provision to support pupils with complex needs offers personalised support, including bespoke physical education lessons delivered by specialists.

Pupils behave exceptionally well, both in lessons and around the school. They learn with determination and enthusiasm. The newly formed attendance team work well with families to ensure pupils attend school regularly and on time.

This has led to improvements in attendance.

The school has carefully thought about the way they develop pupils' character, emphasising physical and mental health. For example, pupils actively participate in a wide range of activities that broaden their talents and interests, including Bollywood dancing, dodge ball and chess.

The curriculum, assemblies and leadership opportunities reinforce the school's values. Pupils appreciate equality and show respect for others. For example, pupils recognise their right to a safe environment.

They collaborated with the local authority to improve the area around the school as part of the 'Super Zone Project'.

The school has made significant improvements since the previous inspection. Leaders, including those responsible for governance, have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement.

They have prioritised the most important aspects and checked the impact of their work. This has helped to ensure that the changes they have introduced are well-embedded across the school.

Staff feel very well supported by leaders to develop professionally.

They feel their workload and well-being is a priority. Staff are rightly proud to work at Uphall and describe the school as 'a family' working together to serve their diverse community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• On occasion, teaching does not deepen pupils' understanding of subject-specific vocabulary and related concepts. In these instances, pupils' understanding of aspects of the curriculum is less well developed. The school continue its work to ensure teaching consistently secures subject-specific vocabulary and concepts so pupils are thoroughly prepared to tackle the ambitious curriculum.

Also at this postcode