Purley Oaks Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a welcoming and caring school. Pupils come from lots of different backgrounds.

Many of them join at various points in the school year. Leaders and staff do everything they can to make sure that their pupils are safe and happy. Above all, staff share a moral purpose to give all pupils a rich education.

They give their pupils experiences that they might not otherwise have. Pupils enjoy their time here.

Staff expect all pupils to work hard and be on their best behaviour at all times.

Pupils rise to these expectations. They follow the school's motto of 'Pride in Excellence'. Staff manage any instances of poor behaviour well.

The school i...s a calm and orderly place. Pupils say that bullying is not an issue at school because teachers sort out any problems quickly.

The school is at the heart of the local community.

The leadership team runs the children's centre that shares the school site. This enables leaders to offer a wide range of services to parents and carers. Parents are very pleased with the school.

One called it 'a hidden gem' and said it was the first choice for their child.

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

By the time pupils leave, governors and leaders want their pupils to be ready for secondary school and able to contribute to society. The education on offer to pupils helps them to fulfil this vision.

The school offers a broad range of subjects and extra-curricular activities. Many subjects are taught around a particular topic or question. Pupils' reading and writing tasks are often connected to this.

Leaders work with teachers to identify the content for each subject. However, French, design and technology, and geography are not taught in as much depth as other subjects.

Staff sequence lessons so that pupils build up their knowledge in many subjects.

For example, Year 5 pupils knew the historical events before the Roman invasion of Britain. This is because they had already learned about the Celts. Teachers try to make sure that pupils remember the knowledge taught before moving on to something more difficult.

Year 6 pupils, for example, developed their understanding of place value using six-digit numbers. They used this knowledge to tackle a challenging mental mathematics activity.

Pupils of all ages love their art, music and physical education lessons.

In key stage 2, pupils learn a different instrument each year. They know a lot about music. For example, pupils learn about rhythm and pulse in Year 1.

Pupils used this knowledge to compose pieces in Year 3.

The school fosters a love of reading. Each class uses the well-resourced school library regularly.

Staff promote a wide range of books to entice pupils. This broadens pupils' interests and introduces them to new authors. The teaching of early reading is a focus for the school.

Most younger pupils can read simple texts with increasing fluency. However, the weakest readers need more help to develop their confidence and accuracy.

Teachers do not consistently adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

However, it is clear from leaders' actions that they are bringing this about. Leaders have begun staff training so that planning meets pupils' needs.

The early years team knows the children well.

Staff find out what children already know and can do when they start. They use this information to plan activities that will help children the most. Children behave well in the early years.

They play alongside each other happily. Parents are included in their child's learning. The early years has an 'open-door' policy and invites parents to take part in lessons.

Teachers also run workshops for parents so that they can help their children at home.

Pupils have lots of opportunities to visit places of interest and take part in events. Examples include performing at the O2 Arena and competing in sports tournaments.

All pupils have equal access to trips. Pupils have a variety of extra-curricular clubs that they can attend.

The headteacher and his leadership team are well respected by staff, pupils and parents.

It is clear that leaders only want what is best for their pupils. Staff morale is high. Staff say that leaders are supportive and considerate of workload.

Governors bring a range of useful experience and skills. They work closely with school leaders and are committed to further improving the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The safeguarding leader uses her expertise to keep staff up to date in their training. Staff know how to report concerns and are vigilant of pupils' welfare. When referrals are made to external agencies, leaders do not give up until the right help has been given.

Pupils learn how to manage risks they may face.Staff regularly go above and beyond their statutory duty to support vulnerable pupils and their families. They identify pupils and families for early help and work closely with the children's centre.

Together they provide a range of services, including support with parenting and mental health.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Phonics could be taught better. Leaders need to ensure that staff have further training so that pupils are taught consistently well.

They must also ensure that the books chosen for the weakest early readers are better matched to the sounds they know to develop confidence and accuracy. . Leaders have started to work on their plans to improve the support for pupils with SEND in the delivery of the curriculum.

This is the case in both the mainstream and specialist provision. Teachers need to have a sharper understanding of the needs of pupils with SEND. They do not consistently adapt the curriculum well enough to meet the pupils' needs.

. Leaders should improve the profile of French, design and technology, and geography. They must ensure that pupils develop the disciplinary knowledge and skills in these subjects to match the strengths in other subjects.

. Transitional statements have been applied because the curriculum plans for French, design and technology, and geography are not as advanced as in other subjects. However, it is clear from the actions that leaders have already taken that they are in the process of improving these subjects.

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