William Patten Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders have very high expectations of all pupils. They encourage pupils to be kind and respectful.

Pupils are highly motivated and excited to learn.

Leaders ensure that pupils achieve the best academic outcomes possible. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Leaders fully include pupils in school events and activities. One parent or carer, typical of many, said, 'My children are supported in their creative, musical and sporting interests as well as their academic education.'

Pupils meet teachers' expectations of excellent behaviour.

They learn in a calm and orderly school environment. Pupils are kep...t safe. Teachers establish high expectations, starting right from the beginning of the early years.

In Nursery, for example, children learn to take turns and help each other.

Leaders have planned a personal development programme that ensures all pupils take part in educational visits within and beyond the school day. The school also organises a wide range of clubs, which are very well attended.

These include fencing, gymnastics, girls' football and hip-hop street dancing. Leaders arrange a variety of opportunities for pupils to be involved in supporting the school's work. For example, each year pupils can write a manifesto for election as an eco-champion or as a member of the school council.

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

Leaders have designed a comprehensive curriculum which is continually refined. Across all subjects, and in the early years, leaders have identified the key knowledge and skills that pupils should learn. The school's curriculum thinking enables teachers to deliver a highly ambitious curriculum for all pupils.

In science, for example, pupils develop a secure understanding of complex ideas such as photosynthesis. In the early years, activities advance children's knowledge and social skills. Teachers help children to practise words and expand their vocabulary.

Staff are very supportive of leaders' efforts to improve the quality of education. Leaders take account of their workload when making decisions.

Leaders know the key vocabulary that pupils should learn and remember across the curriculum.

Subject leaders communicate this to all teachers. For example, pupils in Year 6 described their understanding of computer science algorithms. They explained how they had built up this knowledge since the beginning of Year 1.

Subject leaders are very knowledgeable. They support teachers to deliver the curriculum to a very high standard. The school makes sure that pupils understand what they have learned.

At the beginning of each topic, teachers check that pupils have the required knowledge. This reinforces pupils' understanding. Teachers reteach any important knowledge that is not secure before teaching new material.

Pupils' work is of a consistently high quality. Pupils consistently achieved well in their end of Year 6 reading and mathematics tests before the pandemic. These strong outcomes continued when national tests resumed.

The early reading curriculum is very effective. Teachers inspire a love of reading in pupils. They do this through activities such as exciting storytelling.

Teachers adapt resources and teaching for pupils with SEND when needed. Leaders regularly assess pupils' reading fluency. They provide pupils with extra practice time if needed.

Where necessary, pupils receive 'fast track' support. This improves pupils' reading confidence and fluency through short, daily sessions. The school provides information and guidance for parents so that they can help their children to read at home.

The school meets the needs of pupils with SEND. Staff make sure to include pupils with SEND, for example during class discussions. They check that pupils with SEND understand what they are taught and that they learn all that they should.

Leaders work carefully with external agencies, such as the local authority, to provide any specialist help that pupils with SEND may need.

Pupils behave maturely and sensibly. Leaders ensure that pupils know their expectations during all parts of the school day, for example when in the canteen.

The school supports pupils who may find it harder to reach the highest standards of behaviour. Leaders provide these pupils with high-quality support to help them to manage and adapt their behaviour successfully. Leaders prioritise pupils' and staff's well-being.

The school plans rich and varied educational visits. The programme extends pupils' knowledge across all parts of the curriculum. For example, pupils in Year 6 recently visited the zoo.

Through this visit, they deepened their understanding of different categories of animals, such as vertebrates and invertebrates. Regular visitors to the school include actors, artists, scientists and musicians. These visitors also help pupils to expand their knowledge of the world of work.

Leaders and the governing body continually look for ways to raise standards even higher. They challenge and help all members of the school community to achieve their best.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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