Copnor Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy and proud members of the school.

They describe the school as 'caring', 'fun' and 'amazing'. Pupils behave well. Staff develop warm and caring relationships with pupils.

Bullying is rare. Pupils are confident to tell adults if they are worried and know that staff will deal with concerns promptly. Parents and carers are also positive about the school.

One parent said: 'My child loves attending and feels safe and nurtured in the school environment.'

Pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities to develop their sporting and leadership skills. They enjoy representing the school in local competitions and being active members of the s...chool council.

They are excited about trips and events, such as visiting the local beach and a naval warship. These opportunities help to extend and enrich the school's curriculum.

Leaders want the best for pupils to help them succeed.

However, pupils do not learn as well as they should across the whole of the curriculum. Some pupils have not had the support they need to read well. These pupils therefore find it more difficult to understand what they are being taught and to then apply this to new learning.

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

Leaders introduced a new curriculum in September 2021. They are ambitious for all pupils and this is recognised by parents, pupils and governors. Subjects such as science, history and mathematics have suitably ambitious curriculums.

These subjects have been thoughtfully organised, meaning pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), develop knowledge and skills over time. For example, in history, pupils could recall prior knowledge and apply it to the new topics they were learning about.

However, some weaknesses persist in a few curriculum subjects, including art and early reading.

In these subjects, the curriculum is not planned and sequenced well enough, including for children in the early years. Curriculum leaders have identified the skills that pupils need to develop but it is not clear what important knowledge and vocabulary pupils should know. They have considered what pupils will learn in the early years but, overall, the curriculum for the early years lacks coherence.

Children therefore do not learn what they need to know to be ready to move into Year 1.

The headteacher recognises that over time, younger pupils have not been achieving well enough in reading. To address this, a new phonics programme has been recently introduced.

All staff who deliver this have been trained. However, some staff are still learning about how best to deliver this programme. This means that the methods used by teachers to help pupils read, including pupils with SEND, vary in quality.

Some pupils also do not get enough practice because the books they read are not well matched to the sounds they know. Strategies used to help the weaker readers catch up quickly are also not always effective. This means that too many younger pupils do not have the support they need to read fluently and confidently.

Pupils behave well, including in the early years. Pupils respect adults and know they are there to help them learn and keep them safe. Systems for rewarding pupils reflect the positive culture of the school.

Pupils' attendance, including those who are disadvantaged, is high. Staff have strong relationships with pupils and their families and provide appropriate support to ensure that they attend well.

The school provides a wide range of opportunities for pupils beyond the curriculum.

Pupils across the school enjoy an extensive programme of residential trips and are offered a wide range of extra-curricular clubs. These include dodgeball, art, film, choir and football. Leaders have developed the personal, social and health curriculum to ensure that pupils have a strong understanding of modern Britain and the world.

The children visit places of worship and take part in local events, such as the Remembrance Parade. Pupils are appreciative of others and celebrate diversity.

Pastoral care is a strength of the school.

The welfare needs of all pupils are well identified and catered for. Trained adults ensure that all pupils know how to keep themselves healthy, both physically and mentally. Parents appreciate the focus on pupils' well-being.

One parent said: 'My children are listened to and supported by all staff.' Furthermore, pupils with SEND are supported well. Staff work closely with families to identify pupils' needs and find ways to help them learn.

This has been particularly successful for those pupils who find it difficult to manage their feelings and get on with their work.

Leaders and governors have a clear vision for the school. However, leadership is not consistently effective across the school.

The headteacher recognises that leaders at all levels need to develop their skills and expertise so that they can carry out their roles more effectively. Staff enjoy working at the school. They value the training they receive and agree that leaders consider their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is a strong culture of safeguarding at this school. Leaders and staff work as an effective team and know the children and families well.

Regular training ensures that all staff know how to report any concerns about a pupil. Close working with external agencies ensures that pupils and families, who are in need of extra help, get this quickly.

Leaders ensure that pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe.

They have an age-appropriate understanding of how to stay safe online. Pupils say they feel safe and staff and parents agree.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The curriculum is not yet consistently well planned across all subjects.

As a result, pupils do not always confidently learn important knowledge or understand the key vocabulary. Leaders should continue to implement their plans for a well-sequenced curriculum, providing teachers with the subject knowledge and expertise they need to deliver it effectively. ? Too many younger pupils do not learn to read as quickly as they should.

This means they cannot learn confidently across the full curriculum. Leaders need to carefully monitor the implementation of the new reading curriculum. This includes providing further training and support so that all staff have the expertise they need to help all pupils read fluently.

• The curriculum in the early years is not coherently planned and sequenced. This means children do not develop detailed knowledge and skills across the seven areas of learning. Leaders need to ensure that the curriculum for early years is coherently planned and sequenced, and staff are trained to be able to implement it effectively.

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