Coppermill Primary School, located in Walthamstow, London, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on June 13 and 14, 2024. The school is characterized by a strong sense of community where pupils, parents, and staff foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. This atmosphere allows every pupil to feel known, heard, and understood, contributing to the school's integral role within the local community. Pupils express enjoyment in their learning experiences and demonstrate excellent behavior, meeting the high expectations set by the school. They actively engage in their education, eagerly discussing their work and sharing ideas, which enhances their learning experience.
The curriculum at Coppermill Primary is designed to be meaningful and relevant, allowing pupils to connect their learning to real-world contexts. For instance, in mathematics, pupils applied their prior knowledge to create business models for an enterprise fair, while Year 6 students explored local geography by analyzing historical maps of Walthamstow. The school offers a diverse range of activities that help pupils understand their roles in society, including a recent award for sustainability efforts, where pupils collaborated with an architect to design future buildings. The emphasis on high-quality literature enriches the school's ethos, with themes such as identity explored through various texts.
Pupils achieve well, particularly in English and mathematics, as evidenced by the quality of work in their books and performance in external assessments. They build knowledge securely, using previously acquired skills to tackle new challenges. The school has made significant improvements to its curriculum, particularly in science, ensuring that it is ambitious and sequenced to deepen pupils' understanding over time. The early years' curriculum engages children in hands-on activities, such as creating bug hotels and exploring animal habitats, fostering curiosity and learning.
While the school has established effective procedures to assess pupil knowledge in most subjects, there are areas where these approaches are still developing. The leadership team is committed to ensuring that all staff are well-trained and possess the necessary subject knowledge to deliver the curriculum effectively. Staff members feel supported by leaders and colleagues, contributing to positive relationships throughout the school. The phonics program is implemented consistently, providing targeted support for pupils at risk of falling behind, ensuring they develop essential reading and spelling skills.
Pupils demonstrate high attendance rates and positive attitudes, creating an environment conducive to learning. Those requiring additional support for emotional management receive the necessary assistance, allowing them to remain engaged in their education. The school promotes a culture of care, with older pupils mentoring younger ones and contributing to the school community through various initiatives, including fundraising and sustainability projects.
The school effectively teaches important themes such as safety, healthy relationships, and equality, encouraging pupils to participate actively in school life. The safeguarding arrangements are robust, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Moving forward, the school aims to strengthen its assessment practices in certain foundation subjects to ensure that all pupils develop a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum content. Overall, Coppermill Primary School continues to provide a high-quality education, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment for its pupils.