Over Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

There has been no change to this school's overall judgement of good as a result of this ungraded (section 8) inspection. However, the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a graded (section 5) inspection were carried out now. Inspectors are recommending the next inspection to be a graded inspection.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy attending this welcoming and supportive school. They look after each other. Pupils treat each other with kindness and respect.

Bullying is very rare. Pupils know that, should it happen, staff deal with it quickly. The school playground is a hive of activity.

Older pupils teach younger pup...ils how to play games. They revel in this opportunity to be responsible and are also proud to be 'buddies' to the youngest children. Pupils behave well.

They are happy and safe.

Pupils respond to teachers' expectations for what they can achieve. They work hard in their lessons and want to do the best they can.

Pupils enjoy learning about new topics in history, such as Ancient Greece. However, they have gaps in their knowledge in several subjects. This means pupils do not achieve as well as they could.

Pupils understand the school values of 'academic excellence, ourselves and each other, and our environment'. They explain enthusiastically why these are important and how to show them at school. Pupils attend a range of clubs that give them many new experiences.

They are especially proud to attend the school orchestra and 'voice-over' club, which provide them with the opportunity to take part in concerts.

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

Leaders have introduced new curriculums in several subjects in the past year. This includes the curriculum for the teaching of reading.

Leaders' curriculum planning in all subjects clearly sets out the important knowledge pupils will learn and the order they will learn it, from Reception to Year 6. In some subjects, the curriculum is more established. In these subjects, pupils have a more secure knowledge of the important content they have learned.

In subjects where the curriculum has recently been introduced, there are gaps in pupils' knowledge due to weaker teaching in the past. Teachers have not identified what these gaps are precisely. This means that they do not always plan lessons that build effectively on what pupils already know.

This is the same for the vocabulary that teachers introduce to pupils. Pupils do not always understand, remember or use the vocabulary teachers want them to because they do not have the prior knowledge they need of subject-specific vocabulary.

Leaders have provided staff with training to develop their subject knowledge.

Teachers mostly have the subject knowledge they need to teach the curriculum well. There are, however, inconsistencies in how effectively teachers present information to pupils and identify and address misconceptions that pupils have.

Leaders prioritise reading across all year groups.

Pupils love reading. Older pupils enjoy selecting their reading books from a range of high-quality texts. The new approach to teaching phonics helps pupils at the early stages of reading.

Children in the early years are taught the sounds that letters make. They quickly learn to blend these sounds together to help them to read new words. Children begin to apply this understanding of phonics to their writing.

Leaders are rigorous at identifying any pupil who is not keeping up with reading. Well-trained staff provide effective support for these pupils. This helps pupils to start to develop their fluency and begin to catch up with their peers.

Leaders have focused on improving the provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). There is a consistent approach to supporting the needs of pupils with SEND. This helps pupils to manage their feelings and emotions.

Learning support plans for pupils with SEND are precise and provide staff with the important information they need to help pupils. Staff use specific resources to support pupils with SEND to access the same curriculum as their peers.

Pupils behave well in lessons.

Pupils' learning is rarely disrupted by others' behaviour. They learn how to be responsible and carry out helpful roles, such as being house captains and play leaders. Pupils run clubs, such as the computing club, for others.

They enjoy learning about a range of people, cultures and religions. Pupils are respectful and interested to learn about others who are different to them.

Staff and parents appreciate the recent improvements to the quality of education pupils receive.

Leaders ensure that staff are supported to manage their workload, particularly around the many new approaches they have put in place. Staff feel very well supported by leaders. They are proud to work at the school.

Governors have developed systems to hold leaders to account for the quality of education in the school. They do this effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure that all staff receive regular safeguarding training. Staff raise concerns promptly and record them consistently, following the school's agreed procedures. Leaders respond to all concerns raised.

They provide support for pupils and the families who need it. This includes working with external professionals.

The curriculum teaches pupils how to keep safe.

Leaders are quick to respond to potential issues when they arise, such as pupils' use of social media. Teachers make sure that they teach pupils the information they need to keep safe online.

Leaders complete all required pre-employment checks on adults new to the school and record them accurately.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The curriculum is new in several subjects. In these subjects, pupils have gaps in both their knowledge and their understanding of subject-specific vocabulary. Leaders must support teachers to precisely identify what pupils' knowledge gaps are and how to adapt their teaching to address these gaps effectively.

This is so that pupils secure their understanding of the key content and the vocabulary that leaders want them to remember in order to achieve well. ? There are inconsistencies in how effectively teachers present information to pupils. There are also inconsistencies in how precisely teachers identify and address misconceptions.

Leaders must ensure they continue to provide the training staff need to teach all subjects well. They must also continue to train teachers to precisely identify and address misconceptions pupils have.

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

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

This is the second ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be good in March 2013.

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