Eaves Primary School, located in St Helens, Merseyside, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on February 22 and 23, 2023. The school fosters a welcoming environment where pupils take pride in their affiliation. The staff is dedicated to knowing each pupil as an individual, providing high-quality pastoral care that ensures all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, feel safe and happy.
The leadership team at Eaves Primary School is ambitious for all pupils, instilling values of trust, equality, aspiration, compassion, and happiness. Pupils are encouraged to meet high expectations and demonstrate respect towards one another, fostering a culture of tolerance and understanding of differences. Behavior in lessons and during playtimes is commendable, with swift action taken against any incidents of bullying.
The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including wellbeing and craft clubs, as well as educational trips and residential visits. Leadership roles, such as the junior leadership team, provide opportunities for pupils to support younger students, helping them develop as responsible citizens.
Eaves Primary School has implemented an ambitious and well-structured curriculum that is broad and balanced, designed to build knowledge progressively. The curriculum is tailored to meet the learning needs of pupils, ensuring that all staff are involved in its development, which fosters a shared understanding of educational goals. Regular reviews of the curriculum content ensure that important knowledge is delivered logically from Nursery to Year 6.
Teachers at the school exhibit strong subject knowledge and effectively deliver the curriculum. They utilize assessment systems to monitor pupil learning, although some pupils occasionally struggle to recall key content from previous years. This is attributed to a lack of opportunities to revisit and recap learning, which can hinder the depth of knowledge across subjects.
Eaves Primary School has successfully promoted a love of reading, with pupils engaging with a range of high-quality literature. The phonics program is well-established and effectively implemented from the early years, with staff knowledgeable in teaching early reading. This approach ensures that pupils make good progress in their reading skills, with support provided for those who need to catch up.
The school demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity, with high aspirations for pupils with special educational needs. Staff are well-informed about the needs of these pupils and employ appropriate strategies to ensure their full participation in lessons and activities. Overall, pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning, displaying politeness and kindness towards one another.
The leadership team is effective in promoting the personal development of pupils, teaching them about diversity and the importance of kindness and respect. Staff feel valued and supported, with parents expressing overwhelming satisfaction with the school's efforts to provide a high-quality education.
Governors play a crucial role in the school's governance, offering a balance of support and challenge to enhance educational quality. The safeguarding arrangements are robust, with staff trained to identify and report any concerns, ensuring a strong culture of safety within the school.
To further improve, the school should focus on providing pupils with more opportunities to recap and recall important learning from previous years, ensuring that all students develop a comprehensive understanding of the subjects they study. Overall, Eaves Primary School continues to be a good school, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in education and the well-being of its pupils.
