Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection at Sandbrook Primary School on May 18, 2021, following four consecutive judgments of requires improvement. The inspection aimed to evaluate the progress made since the last section 5 inspection. The findings indicate that school leaders and governors are taking effective actions to improve the school and are setting higher aspirations for pupil learning across various subjects. The headteacher and deputy headteacher have implemented a new phonics program to enhance pupils' reading skills, ensuring that staff are trained to deliver this program consistently. However, it was noted that the reading materials provided to pupils do not sufficiently align with the phonics they are learning, limiting their opportunities to practice and reinforce their skills.
In mathematics, improvements have been made, allowing pupils to revisit and build upon their knowledge. The new curriculum plans provide clear guidance for teachers, helping them to address gaps in learning caused by the pandemic. While some progress has been made, there are still areas, such as measures and geometry, where pupils have not had adequate exposure due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Teachers are beginning to help pupils get back on track with the planned curriculum.
The curriculum is being developed in two distinct ways. For certain subjects, such as Latin and physical education, the school has opted to purchase ready-made schemes of work to ensure a logical progression of knowledge. In contrast, for subjects like science, art, geography, and history, school leaders are redesigning the curriculum to focus on core knowledge. While this approach has positively impacted pupils' recall of factual knowledge, it lacks clarity on what it means to be a historian or scientist, which may hinder a broader understanding of these subjects.
Governors are actively improving their practices by asking challenging questions during meetings and seeking training to enhance their understanding of school improvement. They have received training on personal, social, economic, and health education to better comprehend the implementation of statutory curriculum changes.
Efforts to address pupil attendance, particularly for those who are persistently absent, are ongoing. The school is developing stronger links with families to encourage regular attendance, and early signs indicate some success with parents responding positively to personalized approaches.
The local authority has provided additional support by appointing a local leader to assist with the school's development and has created a cluster of similar schools to share good practices. The school is effectively utilizing these initiatives to strengthen its curriculum development and enhance staff expertise.
During the inspection, discussions were held with the headteacher, deputy headteacher, phonics leader, pupils, governors, and a local authority representative. The inspector also visited lessons, reviewed pupils' work, and evaluated curriculum plans across subjects. Feedback from parents and staff surveys was also considered.
Overall, while Sandbrook Primary School has made progress in several areas, there are still challenges to address, particularly in ensuring that reading materials align with phonics instruction and in providing a comprehensive understanding of various subjects. The commitment of school leaders, staff, and governors to continuous improvement is evident, and with ongoing support, the school is on a positive trajectory toward becoming a good school.
