Upton Cross Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy coming to school. Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour.

Pupils behave well. They say that teachers make lessons fun and interesting. Pupils feel safe and well looked after.

Pupils apply the Upton Cross motto, 'Education with Pride'. There are very few bullying incidents. If bullying does occur, staff act quickly to ensure that it stops.

Pupils learn a wide range of subjects. Teachers encourage pupils of all ages to read every day and continue after school. Subjects provide a wide range of activities that support pupils' learning and character development.

Leaders know that more needs to be done to improve the planning in som...e subjects.

Pupils visit museums, landmarks in London and other places of interest. The school is at the heart of the community.

Staff know many of the families well. They want the best for every pupil. They provide high-quality care for pupils who need emotional support.

Parents and carers value the kindness of staff and all they do for their children. Pupils are prepared well for secondary school and their place in the wider community.

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

Leaders ensure that most subjects are ambitious and well planned.

Most pupils achieve well. Leaders want pupils to learn all subjects in more depth. Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) is a good example.

When pupils learn history or art, teachers make links to PSHE. This makes the subject more relevant to pupils' lives. Pupils become more responsible as well as more knowledgeable.

In most subjects, teachers plan lessons that help pupils to remember what they learn. In mathematics, reading, modern foreign languages (MFL) and PSHE, plans show clearly the knowledge and skills pupils will gain in each school year. Teachers plan for pupils to use previous knowledge to help them understand new topics.

In mathematics for example, teachers refer to real problems in pupils' lives to introduce a topic. As a result, pupils develop their reasoning skills. They encourage one another and challenge each other effectively.

Pupils do not achieve as well as they should in a small number of subjects. Teachers are still working on the development of these areas. Subject leaders in these subjects need to develop their roles to have a sustained impact.

Physical education (PE), is not planned well. Leaders have not given enough thought to what they want pupils to learn in this subject. Previously learned skills are not built on effectively.

Children in the early years get off to a good start and become confident learners. Adults plan activities so that they meet the different needs of individual children. There is a strong focus on helping children to gain confidence and make friendships.

Leaders make sure that children begin to read as soon as they start at the school. Pupils who find reading difficult or are new to English receive a lot of support. Pupils continue to have effective support to improve their reading skills throughout the school.

Pupils love reading books.

Staff are well trained to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Support staff work well with teachers to make sure that all pupils do well.

They make sure that support is available when pupils are at risk of falling behind. Pupils with SEND enjoy the full range of opportunities that the school offers.

Leaders recognise the importance of broadening pupils' horizons.

They make sure that pupils learn about different faiths and cultures. Other subjects teach pupils about democracy and the rule of law. Pupils learn about keeping healthy.

Visitors to the school tell pupils about different careers and professions.

Pupils work hard in lessons and are respectful of adults and their classmates. This means that learning is rarely disrupted by silly behaviour.

Staff enjoy working at the school. They say that leaders support them well. They value the help they get to keep a healthy work-life balance.

As a result, morale throughout the school is high.

Recent appointments to the local governing body have increased its effectiveness. The trust and governors support and challenge leaders.

They are ambitious for Upton Cross to improve.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is a strong culture of safeguarding in the school.

Staff receive regular safeguarding training. They know how to keep children safe. Staff have a good understanding of the issues that pupils face in the local community.

Leaders follow up any concerns over pupils' safety or well-being with rigour and determination.

Pupils are taught about safety. They learn how to keep safe in everyday life, especially when using the internet and social media.

Pupils say that they feel safe and that if they have concerns, staff deal with these quickly and effectively.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Leaders have improved the quality of education in many subjects including reading, mathematics, MFL and PSHE. However, this is not the case in all subjects.

Leaders need to continue to improve the planning of some foundation subjects. Leaders need to make sure that these subjects are consistently planned so that pupils gain knowledge and skills progressively as they move through the school. .

Leadership of some foundation subjects is not as effective as in the most successful subjects. Some leaders are yet to grow into their roles and raise the profile of subject leadership. Senior leaders should continue to support them to develop both their subject expertise and their leadership skills.