Albion Primary School, located in Rotherhithe, London, was inspected on January 30 and 31, 2024. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good, with specific areas such as the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision also receiving good ratings. Notably, personal development was rated as outstanding. The school had previously been inspected 12 years ago, receiving an outstanding rating under an earlier framework. Since then, the school was exempt from routine inspections until November 2020, resulting in a longer gap between graded inspections.
The inspection highlighted that pupils respond positively to the high ambitions set by school leaders, who strive for all students to achieve their best. The curriculum is broad, and pupils enjoy learning new things. In the early years, staff encourage children to take risks in their learning and play, fostering a willingness to share and take turns. The school has established a strong approach to behaviour management based on core values such as kindness and responsibility. Pupils are familiar with the rules and routines, and staff maintain high expectations for behaviour. Parents and carers express positive views about the school.
Pupils benefit from a well-coordinated enrichment program that includes a variety of clubs, educational visits, and tailored activities for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities. The school promotes knowledge of the local area and beyond through field trips to museums and historical sites, as well as visits to places of worship to learn about different religions and beliefs.
The school has ambitious goals for all pupils, with governance working closely with leaders to identify key priorities for improvement. Staff appreciate the professional development opportunities available to them, especially those in the early stages of their careers. Leaders ensure that important content is identified for teachers to deliver, particularly in mathematics, where pupils learn various methods for solving increasingly complex problems, leading to high outcomes.
However, some recent initiatives in certain subjects have not yet been fully embedded, which affects the consistent implementation of these changes. The learning environment is spacious and well-resourced, supporting pupils' independence and learning. The early years setting is secure and provides meaningful activities that develop children's skills across all areas of learning.
The school effectively identifies pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, taking appropriate measures to address barriers to learning. Teachers adapt their instruction to ensure all pupils can access the curriculum, and support is provided to help them succeed. The phonics program is consistently delivered, with careful tracking of pupils' progress. Pupils enjoy reading and demonstrate perseverance when faced with challenges.
Pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning, listening attentively and rarely disrupting lessons. The school has implemented systems to encourage regular attendance, although some pupils, particularly those with special educational needs, continue to be persistently absent. The personal development program is exceptional, addressing themes such as anti-bullying and discrimination through weekly assemblies. Pupils are taught the importance of tolerance and understanding differences among people.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, there are areas for improvement. Leadership in some foundation subjects is still developing, which limits the school's ability to embed changes in curriculum implementation. The school should continue to enhance subject leadership to support teachers in delivering the intended curriculum consistently. Additionally, persistent absence rates, particularly among pupils with special educational needs, remain high, indicating a need for ongoing collaboration with parents to improve attendance.
Overall, Albion Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a high-quality education and fostering a supportive environment for all pupils. The school is well-positioned for continued improvement, with clear plans in place to address the identified areas for development.
