All Saints C of E Primary School, located in Newton Heath, Manchester, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on April 18 and 19, 2023. The school is characterized by a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, where pupils take pride in their attendance and engage actively in their lessons. The staff create positive learning environments that encourage determination and resilience among students. This supportive approach has led to commendable achievements, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
Pupils express that kindness is a fundamental value at All Saints, with older students looking after younger ones and ensuring that everyone is treated equally. The school maintains high expectations for behavior, with staff addressing any instances of bullying or misconduct promptly, fostering a sense of safety and happiness among students. Additionally, pupils have numerous opportunities to develop leadership skills, such as participating in the school council and engaging in extracurricular activities like the gardening club, which was initiated based on student feedback.
The school has implemented a broad and ambitious curriculum that spans from early years to Year 6. Leaders have clearly defined the knowledge they want pupils to acquire in many subjects. However, there are a few areas where the curriculum is not as well developed, which can occasionally hinder the depth of knowledge that some pupils achieve. Teachers are skilled in delivering lessons and effectively check on student understanding, addressing misconceptions as they arise. In the early years, staff are well-trained in early childhood development, ensuring that children acquire essential vocabulary and language skills.
A new reading curriculum has been introduced, with leaders successfully training staff to ensure consistency in its delivery. Pupils practice reading with books that align closely with their phonics knowledge, which aids in their rapid development of reading skills. The school promotes reading for pleasure, exposing students to a variety of high-quality texts, and many pupils report enjoying reading.
Leaders effectively identify and support pupils with special educational needs, providing appropriate training for staff to adapt the curriculum to meet these students' needs. This inclusive approach ensures that pupils with SEND have access to the same ambitious curriculum and extracurricular activities as their peers, and they typically achieve well.
The school environment fosters a positive climate for learning, with pupils demonstrating excellent behavior and enthusiasm in lessons. Leaders provide additional support for those who need help managing their behavior, and early years staff establish routines that help children settle quickly into the learning environment. However, a small number of pupils have frequent absences, prompting leaders to seek support from external agencies and implement strategies to improve attendance rates.
All Saints C of E Primary School offers a well-designed program for pupils' personal development, teaching them about diversity, human rights, and maintaining physical and mental health. This prepares students for life beyond primary school. The governing body is knowledgeable about the quality of education and provides effective support to leaders in evaluating the school's strengths and identifying areas for improvement. Staff feel valued and proud to work at the school.
The safeguarding arrangements at All Saints are effective, with leaders prioritizing the safety of pupils. Staff are trained to be vigilant and respond promptly to any safeguarding concerns. The school ensures that pupils learn how to keep themselves safe, including online safety, and students feel comfortable approaching staff with any worries.
To enhance its performance, the school needs to fully define the essential knowledge in a few subjects to improve the design of learning activities. Additionally, addressing the attendance issues of a minority of pupils is crucial to ensure they benefit from the same learning opportunities as their peers. Overall, All Saints C of E Primary School continues to provide a supportive and enriching educational experience for its students.
