Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Myatt Garden Primary School on 26 September 2018, following its previous judgment of good in September 2014. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team has effectively addressed areas for improvement identified in the last inspection. One significant improvement was the enhanced use of outdoor spaces in Reception and Nursery, leading to a higher percentage of children achieving a good level of development by the end of their Reception Year compared to national figures.
Another area for improvement was to increase the progress rates in reading, writing, and mathematics for pupils eligible for additional funding. The school has implemented various strategies to support these pupils, which have shown positive results in some areas. However, there remains a need to sustain these efforts to ensure that disadvantaged pupils are well-prepared for secondary education.
The school’s vision for a broad and rich curriculum is actively developed by the leadership team. During the inspection, leaders expressed enthusiasm for their subjects and innovative teaching methods. Classroom displays highlight the importance of a wide range of subjects, including history, geography, and personal, social, health, and economic education. Pupils are encouraged to express their opinions through the curriculum council and school council, fostering confidence and self-assurance in their learning. Parents and carers appreciate the diverse experiences provided for their children.
The school demonstrates effective care and support for pupils, with leaders and governors understanding their needs well. Parents have expressed gratitude for the positive atmosphere at Myatt Garden, describing it as a special place. Safeguarding measures are robust, with all necessary checks conducted on staff and volunteers. A culture of vigilance is maintained through regular training, ensuring staff are alert to signs of abuse or neglect.
The inspection also focused on how effectively leaders addressed a decline in phonics performance in 2017. The school has implemented strategies to enhance phonics and reading instruction, including engaging reading areas in Nursery and Reception. Families are invited to participate in morning activities, fostering strong relationships that help children receive early support. Consistent phonics teaching has been established across the school, with staff receiving professional development. Teachers track pupil progress and provide additional support as needed, resulting in 93 percent of Year 1 pupils meeting the expected standard in the phonics screening check in 2018.
The inspection examined how leaders ensure that disadvantaged pupils achieve as well as their peers, particularly in writing. The English curriculum has been refined to focus on essential writing skills, allowing teachers to plan effectively based on prior attainment. Curriculum visits have been introduced to enhance vocabulary and provide engaging contexts for writing. Pupils have shown enthusiasm for these experiences, which have positively impacted their writing skills.
While outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in writing have improved, the school recognizes the need for further development in this area. Next steps for the school include continuing to close the progress gap for pupils receiving additional funding and further enhancing writing instruction for disadvantaged pupils to increase the percentage achieving expected and higher standards by the end of key stage 2. The inspection findings will be shared with the governing body, regional schools commissioner, and the director of children’s services for Lewisham, and the letter will be published on the Ofsted website.
