Larkfield Primary School, located in Southport, Merseyside, has recently undergone an inspection on June 14 and 15, 2023, and has been rated as good in overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school has maintained its good rating since the previous inspection in March 2020.
Pupils at Larkfield Primary School exhibit enthusiasm for their learning environment, arriving at school happy and ready to engage. The school fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect among students, which they attribute to the staff's emphasis on mental health management. This supportive environment allows pupils to feel confident in expressing themselves and accepting their peers' differences. The relationships between pupils and staff are strong, with students feeling safe to discuss any concerns. The school effectively addresses bullying, ensuring that any misbehaviour is dealt with promptly to prevent escalation.
The school has set high expectations for its pupils, who have responded positively by rising to the challenges presented in their learning. Many students reported feeling challenged by their work, which contributes to their enjoyment and engagement in learning, aligning with the school’s motto of enjoy, learn, succeed.
Larkfield Primary School has introduced a new curriculum across most subjects, with early years and key stage one pupils experiencing a well-structured curriculum that builds on prior knowledge. Teachers employ various strategies to assess pupils' retention of essential subject knowledge. However, some tasks assigned to pupils do not align closely enough with the curriculum, leading to gaps in learning for some students.
Reading is a central focus of the curriculum, and leaders have successfully cultivated a love for books among pupils. Staff have received comprehensive training to enhance their teaching of early reading, resulting in strong phonics knowledge among early years and key stage one pupils. While effective support is in place for most students, a small number in Year 2 and Year 3 who have not benefited from the new reading approach still face challenges in their reading skills.
The school has implemented effective measures to identify and support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. In the early years, there is a strong emphasis on communication and language development, which lays a solid foundation for future learning. Teachers adapt their instruction to ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND, can access the same curriculum as their peers.
Despite the positive attitudes towards learning and strong collaborative skills among pupils, persistent absenteeism remains a concern, resulting in missed learning opportunities. The school offers various projects, clubs, and visits to enrich personal development, including structured activities that promote life skills and opportunities for responsible citizenship through charity events.
Governors are actively involved in the school’s operations, ensuring they are well-informed about the quality of education and supporting leaders in setting a clear strategic vision for improvement. The safeguarding arrangements at Larkfield Primary School are effective, with comprehensive training for staff and appropriate systems in place to identify at-risk pupils.
To improve, the school needs to address the reading gaps for some pupils in Year 2 and Year 3, ensuring they receive the necessary support to catch up. Additionally, leaders should ensure that tasks assigned in certain subjects align more closely with the intended curriculum to enhance retention of essential knowledge. Tackling the issue of persistent absenteeism is crucial to ensure all pupils can benefit from their education fully.
