Arden Primary School, located in Bredbury, Stockport, has been inspected on the 23rd and 24th of July 2024 and continues to be recognized as a good school. The atmosphere at Arden Primary is welcoming, with staff who are kind and compassionate, ensuring that pupils feel happy and secure as they arrive each day. New pupils, including those who speak English as an additional language, are supported effectively, allowing them to settle in quickly and focus on their learning.
The school maintains high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Pupils are encouraged to do their best and achieve well from their individual starting points. The school prepares them effectively for the next stages of their education. During lessons and playtimes, pupils exhibit good behavior, adhering to the school’s rules and relishing the positive reinforcement they receive for making appropriate choices. The school promotes an understanding of diversity, helping pupils appreciate the differences among people, which fosters a sense of acceptance and security.
Pupils thrive in various roles and responsibilities, such as school councillors and restorative ambassadors. They engage in community projects, including fundraising for charities and supporting local food banks, which enhances their understanding of being active and positive citizens. The school has made significant improvements to its curriculum since the last inspection, raising the bar for pupil achievement. However, the most recent published data does not fully reflect the strength of the educational offerings, as some pupils' attainment in reading and writing at the end of key stages was below the national average. The school is focused on enhancing reading and writing skills, and current pupils are benefiting from this emphasis.
The curriculum improvements have clarified the learning objectives for staff, particularly in the early years, where essential knowledge is outlined to prepare children for key stage one. However, in some subjects, including certain areas of early learning, the school is still determining the specific knowledge that pupils should acquire and the sequence in which it should be taught. This occasionally leads to challenges for staff in designing lessons that effectively build pupils' knowledge.
Most teachers deliver the curriculum well, but in a few subjects, where the curriculum is newer, teachers are still becoming familiar with the content. This can result in some pupils not recalling their prior learning as accurately as they should. Pupils with special educational needs access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers, with the school accurately identifying their needs and providing the necessary support.
The school successfully fosters a love of reading, with pupils enjoying a diverse range of books from a well-stocked library. They benefit from listening to adults read carefully selected books during story times. Staff are trained to deliver the phonics program effectively, quickly identifying pupils who need additional support to help them catch up. Consequently, many pupils learn to read fluently and confidently.
In the early years, children develop strong learning behaviors, which older pupils build upon. Classrooms are calm and purposeful, allowing pupils to concentrate fully during lessons. The school also supports pupils' wider development effectively, with pupils taking pride in their diverse community and welcoming new friends from various backgrounds. They participate in a wide range of trips and visits, including television production, museum visits, and residential trips, which enrich their learning experiences.
Governors provide effective support and challenge to the school, monitoring its progress towards achieving its goals for pupil success. Staff express satisfaction with their work environment, appreciating the measures taken to support their well-being and workload, such as collaborative planning time.
The arrangements for safeguarding at Arden Primary are effective. To improve further, the school needs to refine its curriculum in a few subjects to ensure that pupils develop a comprehensive body of knowledge. Additionally, staff should be supported in identifying and addressing gaps in pupils' knowledge before introducing new content, ensuring that learning is secure and well-embedded. Overall, Arden Primary School demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils and staff.
