Adswood Primary School, located in Stockport, Cheshire, has recently undergone an inspection on the 1st and 2nd of October 2024. The school has been rated as good across all key areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This consistent performance reflects the school’s commitment to providing a supportive and effective learning environment for its pupils.
The school’s vision, encapsulated in the phrase enjoy, believe, achieve, resonates well with the students, who understand the importance of their current learning in relation to their future aspirations. This understanding fosters a culture of perseverance among pupils, encouraging them to tackle new challenges with determination. The sense of community at Adswood Primary is strong, with positive relationships established between the school, pupils, and their families. The inclusive culture nurtures a safe and happy environment for all students.
High expectations are set for pupil achievement, particularly in the early years, where children quickly acquire essential skills for future learning. The school’s data indicates that pupils’ attainment and progress exceed published benchmarks, with those having special educational needs and/or disabilities receiving high-quality support that enables them to thrive. The school is dedicated to developing confident learners, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Staff at Adswood Primary play a crucial role in helping pupils manage their emotions and behaviour effectively. The consistent application of behaviour expectations leads to a respectful and kind atmosphere among students. The school is actively working to improve attendance rates, and there are signs of progress in this area.
The curriculum at Adswood Primary is ambitious and well-structured, beginning in the early years. Children engage in hands-on learning experiences, such as exploring the outdoors and investigating seasonal changes. This approach to learning is not only engaging but also effective in fostering a love for education. Across the school, the curriculum remains broad and ambitious, with regular assessments to monitor pupil understanding and retention of knowledge. While overall outcomes may appear low in published data, they do not accurately reflect the current achievements of the pupils.
In subjects like mathematics, children are provided with numerous opportunities to develop their skills from an early age. For instance, they learn to compare different representations of numbers, which builds their confidence with numerical concepts. Throughout the school, pupils frequently revisit and rehearse their learning, aiding long-term retention. However, in a few subjects, the clarity regarding essential knowledge and the timing of its delivery could be improved, as this sometimes hinders pupils' ability to connect new information with prior knowledge.
Reading is prioritized at Adswood Primary, with pupils demonstrating positive attitudes towards literature. They express enthusiasm for their favourite books and authors, and early years children benefit from high-quality interactions that enhance their language skills. The phonics program is effectively implemented, ensuring that pupils read books that align with their phonetic knowledge. Staff are well-trained to support pupils at risk of falling behind, providing timely interventions to help them catch up.
The school is adept at identifying the additional needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they receive the necessary support to access the curriculum. This approach fosters confidence and communication skills among these pupils, who are encouraged to reach their full potential.
Adswood Primary also offers a life skills curriculum that equips pupils with practical skills for their future. Activities such as writing job applications and engaging with the local library prepare students for real-world challenges. Discussions around healthy relationships and online safety are integral to the curriculum, promoting maturity and awareness among pupils.
The school encourages leadership opportunities, allowing pupils to take on roles such as well-being buddies and librarians. These experiences foster a sense of responsibility and active citizenship within the school community. Governance at Adswood Primary is strong, with knowledgeable leaders ensuring that the curriculum meets the needs of all pupils while prioritizing staff well-being.
Overall, the inspection highlights the effectiveness of safeguarding measures in place at the school, ensuring a safe environment for all students. The school is encouraged to continue refining its curriculum to enhance clarity around essential knowledge in certain subjects, which will further support pupils in making connections between new and existing learning.
