Osidge Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders are determined that pupils at this school will succeed. They have high ambitions for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They are proud of pupils' achievements and the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that pervades the school.

Pupils are happy and safe here.

Pupils listen carefully to both staff and each other. The behaviour policy is designed to help pupils regulate their behaviour and does so successfully as their names move up and down the 'behaviour ladder'.

The school has adopted characters, such as 'Captain Care' and 'Major Respect', to represent values that support positive behaviour and remi...nd pupils of the school's expectations. Pupils know that adults have high expectations of them and respond well to these.

The school provides opportunities for pupils to take on various responsibilities, such as 'Osidge Ambassadors', who celebrate the achievements of others who are seen demonstrating the school values.

A range of educational visits, including residentials, are offered to the pupils, such as visits to the Science Museum and the Tower of London. Pupils are encouraged to fundraise for charities and get involved in school events, such as the Christmas and summer fairs. Year 6 pupils were excited to tell inspectors how they were given a small budget to organise a stall at the Christmas fair, where some of them sold hot chocolate.

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

Leaders have designed a broad and ambitious curriculum. This starts in Reception, where staff provide an extensive range of interesting activities, focusing on the use of rich language between staff and children. For example, children were writing a recipe for monster soup, discussing the ingredients and sounding out the letters in their words.

Phonics is taught from the beginning of Reception. All staff are suitably trained and teach phonics in a structured and consistent way. Pupils' progress is checked regularly.

Pupils who fall behind are quickly identified. The school then provides extra support, such as additional tutoring sessions from specially trained staff. They also ensure that pupils develop a love of reading.

For example, in some assemblies, pupils share their responses to the texts they have enjoyed.The school has adapted and enhanced their mathematics curriculum with additional resources to support pupils' needs. Pupils have opportunities to recall what they already know.

This consolidates their knowledge before moving on to new learning. They also practise different strategies for calculation and learn new mathematical vocabulary. They discuss what they have learned and give examples of how they could solve different problems.

Pupils with SEND access the same curriculum.Teachers adapt activities so that these pupils are well supported, for example through the use of concrete resources.In the wider curriculum, the school aims to enrich pupils' learning by making links across different subjects.

Units of learning are well sequenced, and over time, pupils extend their knowledge and skills, achieving some strong outcomes. However, in some subjects, pupils find it tricky to make links to prior learning or articulate how they are progressing. This is because they sometimes focus on the activity they have completed and are not able to link their new learning to what they have learned before.

The school works effectively with a range of outside agencies and a local special school to ensure that pupils with SEND have their needs identified quickly and accurately. Individual targets are set and kept under regular review. Pupils with SEND are included in all that the school has to offer, and if necessary, adaptations are made to ensure this happens.

The school provides a variety of opportunities to promote pupils' personal development. There are school trips, visitors and a wide range of clubs. The school has worked with a charity that provides resources and trains teachers to support pupils' mental health.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. The school has established clear routines, starting in the early years, so pupils are eager to get on with their learning. They are polite and friendly when spoken to.

The behaviour policy is implemented consistently throughout the school. Any minor disruption is dealt with quickly. Pupils know they have a trusted adult they can speak to if they are worried about anything.

Attendance is a priority. Daily attendance is monitored closely by the office staff. The school works with the local authority to support parents and carers so that their child's attendance improves.

Early intervention has recently improved the level of attendance.Leaders are determined that Osidge will be the best school it can be. They are always planning new improvements.

Staff appreciate the opportunities they have for training. They feel valued and say leaders care for their well-being and consider their workload. Parents are extremely positive about the school and say leaders are approachable and supportive.

Governors are committed to the further improvement of the school and know it well. They are knowledgeable about their safeguarding duties and challenge leaders if needed.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some foundation subjects, the school has not given enough thought to the important concepts they want pupils to know and remember. As a result, in those subjects, pupils do not achieve as well as they could. The school should identify the subject-specific concepts and knowledge they want pupils to know, retain and build on over time.