Park Primary School, located on Love Lane in Wallasey, Merseyside, was inspected on 10 and 11 October 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good, with consistent ratings of good across various categories including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school has maintained its previous inspection grade of good since the last evaluation in April 2018.
Pupils at Park Primary School are welcomed into a positive environment where they feel safe and supported. Staff are proactive in addressing any instances of bullying or name-calling, ensuring that pupils feel listened to and that their concerns are addressed promptly. The school collaborates with outside specialists to support pupils' emotional health, contributing to a happy school atmosphere. Pupils demonstrate a strong understanding of the high expectations set by the school and work diligently to meet these standards. Their behaviour is commendable, as they conduct themselves politely and respectfully towards peers and staff alike. The school employs a system of regular praise and rewards to encourage good behaviour.
The school boasts a large and well-resourced outdoor environment, which pupils utilize enthusiastically. They engage in physical activities and express the importance of maintaining fitness and health. Additionally, pupils appreciate the variety of extra-curricular clubs available to them and look forward to participating in residential trips.
Park Primary School offers a broad and ambitious curriculum, particularly in the early years, which effectively prepares children for their subsequent learning. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, have access to the full curriculum. Staff benefit from extensive professional development, enhancing their subject knowledge and teaching methods. This investment in staff training results in pupils articulating their learning confidently across various subjects.
The school is adept at identifying pupils with special educational needs and implements tailored adaptations to support their learning. External agencies are engaged when necessary to provide specialized assistance, ensuring that these pupils achieve well. Reading is a significant focus within the school, with pupils having access to a diverse range of books. Older students enjoy daily reading sessions with their teachers, while younger children in the nursery are introduced to stories and rhymes, laying a solid foundation for phonics learning.
Despite the positive aspects, there are areas for improvement. Some staff members do not deliver the phonics programme as effectively as required, leading to inconsistencies in how new sounds are taught. The school is encouraged to provide further support to ensure consistent delivery of this programme. Attendance and punctuality are also concerns, as some pupils do not attend regularly or arrive late, which hinders their learning experience. The school is committed to working with these families to enhance attendance and punctuality.
Communication with parents is another area identified for improvement. While parents generally hold a positive view of the school, there are gaps in communication that leave them feeling uninformed about their children's education and school life. The school aims to strengthen its communication channels to keep parents better informed.
Governors play an active role in supporting and challenging the school, ensuring that staff workload and well-being are considered in decision-making processes. The safeguarding arrangements at Park Primary School are effective, contributing to a safe learning environment for all pupils. Overall, the school demonstrates a commitment to providing a high-quality education while recognizing the need for ongoing improvements in specific areas.
