Norton Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Norton Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thoroughly enjoy attending Norton Church of England Primary School.

They are enthusiastic about their learning because teachers make it fun and meaningful.

Pupils show positive learning attitudes towards the varied activities and learning they receive. Leaders and all adults have high expectations.

The work the pupils produce is of a good quality. Pupils are proud of their school. They are well aware of the school's vision and how they are able to put this into their everyday lives.

Pupils are polite and courteous to each other. Pupils say ...that everyone is kind and thoughtful, nobody is left out. Leaders have created a culture of respect and care among the adults and pupils.

Pupils behave well and support each other both in class and at play. Pupils say that there is no bullying in school but would know who to talk to if they had any concerns.

Positive relationships are a strong feature of the school.

Staff, pupils and parents commented on the 'family' atmosphere of the school. All pupils are welcome. Pupils have many different opportunities to develop themselves both socially and academically.

Those pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well by adults.

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

Leaders and governors are highly ambitious for the pupils. Leaders have created a clear and coherently designed curriculum which ensures all pupils receive a good quality of education.

As a result, teachers know what to teach and when.

Teachers plan learning that is generally sequenced well. They deliver learning that enables pupils to gain important knowledge.

This helps pupils to learn more and remember more. In science, learning is very well structured. Pupils are able to recall key facts about their prior learning.

Pupils are aware of how to work scientifically. This is because lessons have a good mix of developing knowledge and practical learning. This ensures pupils develop a strong scientific understanding and can apply their knowledge to more-complex problems.

Pupils are provided with a range of diverse artists to study in art. Pupils enjoy these lessons and begin to build the knowledge that is required to be successful themselves.

The curriculum for most subjects establishes the key knowledge and understanding pupils will be taught from the early years.

However, in some subjects this is not the case. This means that the children do not always build the right foundations to help them in their next stage of learning.

Pupils have a love of reading.

Leaders prioritise and promote the teaching of reading. Phonics teaching starts early in pre-school, where children learn rhymes and listening skills. Leaders have ensured that the teaching of phonics is consistent across the school.

Teachers provide extra help for those pupils who struggle to secure their phonics knowledge. However, teachers' use of assessment is sometimes not swift enough to ensure that these pupils catch up quickly. Pupils develop fluency of reading and are well supported by the staff who help them.

Guided reading lessons provide the pupils with the knowledge to develop their understanding of a range of texts. Teachers' use of questioning enables pupils to probe the text to gain a deeper understanding, especially of new vocabulary they encounter.

Leaders and teachers know the needs of those pupils who have SEND well.

Teachers adapt learning for these pupils to make sure they are successful. Experienced and qualified staff work closely with leaders and parents to support these pupils well.

Pupils value the rich variety of activities that promote their personal development and well-being.

These include educational trips as well as many extra-curricular activities. Older pupils are able to develop leadership skills and form the school council. Pupils in Year 6 stated they are role models to the younger pupils in the same way teachers are to them.

Some pupils have become ambassadors for the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Leaders consider staff well-being carefully. Staff value the way everyone works as the school 'family' team.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have a strong ethos of keeping all children safe from harm. Leaders and all staff are vigilant to ensure that they spot when children may be at risk from harm.

This is due to the regular training and guidance staff receive.

Leaders support families well through the use of school resources and outside agencies. Leaders are dogmatic and tenacious in their approach to making sure pupils receive the service and support they need to keep them safe.

Pupils feel safe. They know how to keep themselves safe, including when online.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The curriculum in some subjects is not as well developed as in others.

As a result, pupils do not always build on solid foundations as they move through the school. Leaders should ensure that there is a clear sequence of knowledge to develop pupils' learning in all subjects, beginning in the early years. ? Teachers' assessments for some pupils' acquisition of phonics are not acted upon quickly enough.

This means some pupils do not gain a strong knowledge of the sounds letters make. Leaders should ensure that they provide these pupils with effective support that enables them to become successful readers quickly.

Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good.

This is called a section 8 inspection of a good or outstanding school, because it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on a section 8 inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a section 5 inspection.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the section 8 inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the section 8 inspection as a section 5 inspection immediately.

This is the second section 8 inspection since we judged the school to be good in March 2012.