Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of Beavers Community Primary School on January 29 and 30, 2019, due to concerns regarding pupils' progress in reading, which had been below the national average for three years. This decline was particularly notable compared to the progress made in writing and mathematics. The inspection aimed to assess the school's performance and identify areas for improvement.
Beavers Community Primary School is larger than average, with a significant proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and a high percentage from minority ethnic groups. The school has faced considerable leadership changes over the past two years, but the current leadership team has been in place since the beginning of the school year.
The inspection findings indicated that pupils are currently making strong progress in reading. The leadership team has established a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, accurately analyzing the school's performance. In response to previous declines in reading progress, leaders sought external advice and overhauled the reading curriculum, which is now well-embedded across the school. This new approach, informed by research, has contributed to improved outcomes for pupils.
Staff at Beavers appreciate the support provided by leaders to enhance their teaching skills in reading. They benefit from observing strong practices and receiving coaching from experienced colleagues, fostering a positive environment of openness and consistency in teaching methods. However, leaders have faced challenges in engaging the majority of parents in supporting their children's reading at home, despite their efforts to involve families in school activities.
The governing body is highly effective, holding leaders accountable for the school's performance in reading while also providing support. They closely monitor pupils' progress and recognize the dedication of staff in delivering quality education and ensuring children's safety. The leadership of reading has positively impacted pupils' progress, with a focus on developing competent and confident lifelong readers. From nursery onwards, pupils engage in phonics learning through well-planned sessions that help them acquire essential reading skills.
Teachers ensure that struggling pupils receive opportunities to catch up through regular reading practice in various formats. The school promotes good reading habits by ensuring every pupil is a member of the local library and providing a diverse and high-quality book stock. Classrooms feature inviting book corners, and pupils read across subjects, enhancing their understanding of different texts. Recent data shows improvements in phonics scores and progress at the end of key stage two.
The inspection also evaluated the provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), noting that they make strong progress from their starting points. The school has a high proportion of pupils with SEND, and leaders work diligently to identify and remove barriers to learning. They ensure that all pupils receive high-quality teaching tailored to their needs, deploying specialist staff to support progress.
In early years, leaders and teachers effectively teach reading skills while fostering a love of learning. Phonics sessions in nursery and reception are engaging and help children develop their reading abilities. Children enjoy discussing books and regularly take home reading materials, supported by a well-stocked early years lending library.
Safeguarding measures at Beavers are robust, with leaders and governors establishing a strong culture of safety. All staff are well-trained, and access to the school is tightly controlled. Staff are knowledgeable about pupils' needs and know how to report concerns. Pupils feel safe and are taught about online safety, although some could not recall specific procedures.
Leaders actively seek external support from specialists and local authorities to enhance the school's improvement efforts. This collaboration provides valuable training and opportunities for sharing best practices.
For further improvement, leaders should focus on enhancing parental engagement in supporting their children's reading. The inspection highlighted the school's strengths in leadership, teaching, and pupil progress, indicating a positive trajectory for Beavers Community Primary School.
