Brimming with good behaviour and kindness among pupils
OFSTED INSPECTORS COMMEND SCHOOL CULTURE
A BURTON school has been praised by inspectors, who said pupils “treat each other with kindness” and show “exemplary” behaviour.
William Shrewsbury Primary School in Stretton was given a “good” rating by Ofsted after being inspected on March 9 and 10.
The school, which has 627 pupils aged three to 11, was praised for its teaching. The report said: “Staff have high expectations of all pupils and expect them to work hard and achieve their best. They want all pupils at the school, including those with special educational needs and/ or disabilities (SEND), to become well-rounded learners.
“Pupils get on well together and respect each other’s differences. Pupils thrive in this positive atmosphere. Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. They live up to the high expectations that staff have for them. Pupils behave extremely well in lessons when moving around the school and at playtimes.
“This positive attitude towards school and each other is evident in all year groups. Pupils are polite and well-mannered, treating each other with kindness. Incidents of bullying are rare, but pupils trust adults to deal with it if it did happen.”
School leaders were praised for helping pupils to love reading and for the school’s phonics programme and coherent curriculum.
The report added: “Leaders have fostered a love of reading in pupils. There is a structured approach to reading across the school. Pupils read regularly at home and in school. They speak enthusiastically about the books that are available for each year group.
“Pupils across the school experience a broad range of appropriate texts. They start to learn to read as soon as they arrive at school. The school’s phonics programme is well planned and gets pupils off to a good start in reading.
“All staff have had training in the teaching of phonics, so that they can support pupils effectively with their reading. Older pupils talk about their favourite books with understanding and pleasure. Everyone values reading.
“In some areas of the curriculum such as mathematics and reading, there is a coherent and embedded curriculum that helps build pupils’ knowledge over time. Teachers regularly check pupils’ learning and adjust their teaching to address any gaps or misconceptions.”
Safeguarding was also praised, with the school’s approach to pastoral care described as effective. The staff were praised for their speed to respond to potential issues.
The report said: “The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders are tenacious in their approach to keeping pupils safe. The strong culture of safeguarding at this school is underpinned by the expert knowledge staff have of pupils and their families.
“Staff are trained well to spot the signs that any pupils may be at risk of harm. They record these concerns quickly so that pupils can get the timely help that they need. Pupils know how to keep themselves safe, including when online. They say that they have someone to talk with if they are worried about something. They are confident that staff will take their concerns seriously.”
However, the leaders at the school were advised that they could refine their planning. It also said that learning skills could be built on.
The report said: “Leaders have not specified the precise knowledge that they want pupils to learn in some foundation subjects. As a result of this, pupils’ learning does not always build on their previous learning as well as it could.
“Leaders should ensure that they continue to refine planning, identifying and sequencing the important knowledge that they want pupils to learn in these subjects, enabling them to know and remember more and deepen their understanding.”
Head teacher Elaine Curtis said the school was working on the areas flagged up by the report, a fact acknowledged by Ofsted.