City primary school ‘disappointed’ after latest Ofsted report
HIGH LEVELS OF PUPIL ABSENCE ARE ONE OF THE KEY CONCERNS
A COVENTRY primary school has been rated ‘Requires Improvement’ by Ofsted during its first inspection in six years.
Longford Park Primary School, on Windmill Road, was last inspected in 2016 when it was judged to be ‘Good’ but now the quality of education and high level of pupil absences have sparked concern.
Although the local primary school was rated ‘Good’ in other areas, such as behaviour and pupils’ personal development, leaders were told they had to fix some huge failures in teaching, during an inspection in July.
Teachers are said to have good subject knowledge but were found to not check that pupils have understood what they have learned. Inspectors said this causes pupils’ errors and misconceptions to be missed. Students were therefore found to have ‘too many gaps’ in their knowledge.
Headteacher Jennifer Goode, who took up her role in 2020, ‘completely overhauled’ the existing curriculum as she believed it was ‘not ambitious enough.’ Inspectors say that although this was a positive step, leaders could benefit from teaching pupils in ‘smaller blocks’ which will help build their knowledge over time.
Absences were also highlighted as a concern within the primary school. Inspectors found high levels of ‘persistent absences’ with leaders ‘not paying much attention’ to pupils taking days off. Leaders were said to have ‘not done enough’ to improve low levels of attendance.
High levels of pupil absence have therefore impacted some students’ ability to learn and to participate in activities that help personal development. It was found to be a significant problem with children in younger years.
Leaders have been told to ‘work with families’ to ensure parents and carers understand the importance of pupils attending school every day. Inspectors added that leaders should also take ‘swift action’ to ‘challenge and support’ families where necessary.
Other aspects of the report were, however, more positive and demonstrated that the school excels in personal development with leaders said to ‘want the best’ for pupils. Students are described as ‘enthusiastic’ about learning and were found to listen in lessons and ‘work hard.’
Pupils were found to ‘behave well’ and say that staff help them on the rare occasions that bullying happens. Students’ learning was said to be supported by leaders who offer a wide variety of educational trips to pupils of all ages.
Children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) are said to be supported by staff who create learning plans which help staff meet their needs effectively. Teachers also receive regular training about SEND which helps pupils to ‘achieve well.’
Parents are said to have a positive relationship with leaders who encourage them to support pupils’ learning. Teachers send parents resources for students to make bird boxes, or plants to grow, for example, and parents send back photos of their achievements.
In response to the report, headteacher Jen Goode said that although the team are ‘disappointed’ with the Ofsted rating they are also ‘extremely pleased’ at the same time after the school received high praise in most categories. She said: “In the recent inspection, the school was judged with an overall grading of ‘Requires Improvement.’
“Of course, as a school team, we are disappointed with the outcome, however, we are extremely pleased with the majority of sub-judgements, particularly leadership and management, as this acknowledges that the inspectors accept and understand that leaders are being proactive and moving the school in the right direction. The inspectors found many positive strengths across the school and they are very satisfied that post-pandemic, the school is already making significant progress towards ensuring that high-quality teaching and learning for all children at Longford Park Primary School is taking place.
“I strongly believe that our children and their families, who come to Longford Park School every day, can see for themselves the efforts we have made and will continue to make, to ensure that Longford Park School is amazing in all aspects of their child’s educational journey with us. In the past two years, we have all worked tirelessly to ensure that every child is receiving a good education and are safe and happy, and we will continue to do so.”