Rock Ferry Primary School, located in Birkenhead, Merseyside, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on February 26-27, 2020. The school fosters a welcoming environment where pupils are polite and attentive. They follow instructions well, engage in lessons, and contribute meaningfully to discussions. Feedback from students indicates that behavior is generally good, and the school takes a firm stance against bullying, ensuring that any incidents are addressed promptly. Pupils express feelings of happiness and safety within the school environment.
The school community takes pride in its achievements, with students participating in various extracurricular activities such as football and dance. Year 6 students have the opportunity to attend a residential visit, and many pupils take on roles such as school councillors and peer monitors, which helps prepare them for future responsibilities. The leadership team has made significant improvements to the curriculum, raising expectations for all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Parents appreciate the nurturing environment provided for their children.
Despite the positive atmosphere, the school faces challenges regarding academic performance. Data from 2019 indicated that while pupils made expected progress in key stage 2, their overall standards in reading, writing, and mathematics fell below the national average. Specific issues within the Year 6 cohort impacted the school's previous trend of improvement. However, the current work of pupils reflects the high standards that leaders aim for, with strong evidence of learning in their books.
Leaders have set clear expectations for what pupils should learn across all subjects, and the curriculum is designed to build on prior knowledge logically. The focus on developing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—ensures that pupils leave the school well-rounded. The curriculum for English and mathematics is particularly well-structured, with teachers demonstrating effective knowledge and delivery of these subjects. Reading is prioritized, with staff trained to support pupils in developing their phonics knowledge from an early age. Younger children are taught letter sounds, while older pupils engage in well-sequenced reading activities.
The early years curriculum is tailored to meet children's needs and interests, providing a strong foundation for their education. Leaders also offer a rich variety of extracurricular activities that enhance pupils' social and emotional skills. Although pupils generally behave well and little time is lost to disruptions, attendance remains slightly below the national average due to a few families taking extended holidays during term time.
Staff at Rock Ferry Primary School express pride in their work and appreciate the efforts made by leaders to support their work-life balance. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a culture of safety embedded within the school. Staff are well-trained to identify and respond to potential risks, and pupils are educated on how to stay safe in various contexts.
To improve further, leaders need to ensure that the new curriculum plans are fully implemented across all subjects and that subject leaders develop systems to monitor the impact of their work. This will help guarantee that pupils are learning as intended and achieving the desired outcomes. Overall, Rock Ferry Primary School continues to provide a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils.
