Knowsley Village School, located in Prescot, Merseyside, underwent an inspection on February 22 and 23, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas such as the quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision also receiving the same rating. However, the behavior and attitudes of the pupils, as well as their personal development, were rated as good. This marks a decline from the previous inspection in January 2018, where the school was rated as good.
Pupils at Knowsley Village School report feeling happy and safe. They express that staff are attentive to their needs and effectively address any incidents of bullying. The school fosters a supportive environment where pupils help one another in both academic and social settings. The pastoral care provided by staff is of high quality, contributing to a respectful and polite atmosphere among pupils. While most students engage well in their learning, there are instances of low-level disruption, particularly among older pupils. School leaders are actively working to mitigate these issues.
The school has made strides in raising expectations for pupil achievement, but the curriculum is not yet sufficiently well-designed to meet the diverse learning needs of all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Consequently, pupils do not consistently achieve at the expected levels, and some early years children are not adequately prepared for the next stages of their education. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities that help develop pupils' self-confidence and sense of responsibility, with many students taking on leadership roles.
Leaders are in the process of developing a more ambitious curriculum, particularly in subjects like history and art. They provide guidance to teachers on essential knowledge and the timing of topics. However, some teachers lack the necessary subject knowledge and confidence to deliver the new curriculum effectively, which affects the overall quality of education. Additionally, the systems in place to assess pupil learning are underdeveloped, leading to gaps in understanding and knowledge retention.
The early years curriculum is noted to be underdeveloped and lacking in ambition, which impacts children's readiness for Year 1. Leaders are prioritizing reading and have made improvements to the reading curriculum, including the establishment of a new library area. However, the phonics program is not consistently delivered, and some pupils do not have enough opportunities to practice reading at home with appropriate materials.
Safeguarding measures at the school are effective, with staff receiving appropriate training and being vigilant about potential risks to pupils. Leaders collaborate with various agencies to ensure that pupils and their families receive necessary support. The school environment is generally calm, and attendance is good, with efforts being made to improve punctuality among some pupils.
Governors work closely with school leaders but lack a comprehensive understanding of the quality of education provided. They consider staff workload and well-being in decision-making, contributing to high staff morale. Overall, while there are positive aspects of the school, significant improvements are needed in curriculum design, teacher training, and assessment practices to enhance pupil learning and achievement.
