Linacre Primary School, located in Bootle, Merseyside, was inspected on May 16 and 17, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, a reflection of several areas needing attention. The quality of education was also deemed to require improvement, while behavior and attitudes were rated as good. Personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all found to require improvement as well. This inspection follows a previous rating of requires improvement from May 2021.
Pupils at Linacre Primary School generally enjoy their time at the school, benefiting from supportive relationships with staff and peers. The school fosters a caring environment where pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, demonstrate kindness and consideration towards one another. Pupils feel safe and trust that staff will address any concerns, including bullying, promptly. They are eager to meet the high expectations set by school leaders regarding behavior, adhering to the school's simple rules of looking after themselves, each other, and the school.
While most pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning and take pride in their work, some do not achieve as well as they should in certain subjects, including those in the early years. The school has made strides in improving its curriculum, which is now broad and ambitious, but it is not yet fully effective across all subjects. Leaders have identified essential knowledge for pupils to acquire and have organized this knowledge thoughtfully in many subjects. However, the curriculum's recent enhancements are incomplete in some areas, leading to inconsistent achievement among pupils.
Subject leaders have received training that has improved their expertise, allowing them to provide clearer guidance to teachers. Teachers generally possess strong subject knowledge and effectively use assessments to meet pupils' needs. In the early years, most children engage well in activities, but there is a lack of focus on developing spoken language and vocabulary, resulting in limited progress for some children.
The school has implemented a structured phonics program that begins in the Reception Year, with most pupils able to decode words by the end of Year 1. However, the reading curriculum beyond phonics lacks depth, limiting opportunities for pupils to develop comprehension skills and a love for reading. Many older pupils do not read widely or often, which affects their confidence and fluency.
Leaders have improved systems for identifying the needs of pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they have access to the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. The school environment is calm and purposeful, with rare disruptions to lessons. Attendance has improved, but irregular attendance among some pupils continues to hinder their learning.
Pupils are polite and caring, demonstrating empathy and a keen interest in learning about diversity in modern British society. They engage in discussions about different beliefs and cultures, showing respect for others. Governors are dedicated and knowledgeable, working with local authorities to address long-standing weaknesses in education quality.
The safeguarding arrangements at Linacre Primary School are effective, with staff receiving regular training to identify at-risk pupils. Leaders act promptly on concerns raised by staff or pupils and collaborate with local agencies to support vulnerable families. Overall, while the school has made progress, significant work remains to ensure that all pupils achieve their full potential and that the quality of education meets the highest standards.
