Chowbent Primary School, located in Atherton, Manchester, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on December 11-12, 2019. The school promotes a strong learning environment where pupils are encouraged to adhere to the motto of Never be less than your best. Students display enthusiasm for learning and actively participate in various activities and trips organized by their teachers. They engage in discussions about their learning progress and feel supported by staff, who are readily available to assist those facing challenges. The school offers numerous extracurricular activities that help pupils develop diverse interests.
Behavior in the classroom is generally positive, and students feel safe within the school environment. However, a small number of pupils with complex needs experience difficulties in social interactions during unstructured times. The staff are well-acquainted with these pupils and implement effective strategies to facilitate safe play and readiness to learn. Incidents of bullying are addressed promptly and effectively by the staff.
The leadership team, including governors, maintains high expectations for all pupils in core subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics. They ensure that appropriate support is provided to help all students, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities, achieve their potential. The curriculum is well-planned and tailored to meet the needs of the pupils, resulting in high-quality work. Pupils are encouraged to utilize resilience, responsibility, reflectiveness, resourcefulness, and readiness as part of their learning process.
Pupils in key stage one build on their early years knowledge effectively, and the attainment of Year 6 pupils has shown improvement over time in reading and mathematics. In 2019, Year 6 pupils performed better than the national average in these subjects, while their writing attainment was in line with national expectations. The school successfully supports pupils who join at various times throughout the year, ensuring they achieve well.
By the end of Year 6, pupils demonstrate fluency and accuracy in reading, thanks to a strong phonics program initiated in the Reception class. Skilled staff effectively teach phonics, and additional support is provided to help pupils who need to catch up. The mathematics curriculum is equally robust, with pupils showing enthusiasm for the challenges presented by their teachers. Practical activities in early years help build confidence in mathematics, and older pupils effectively apply their knowledge to solve problems.
In history, pupils build on their knowledge from early years, although some struggle to explain the impact of ancient civilizations on modern society and to order historical time periods. While the curriculum plans are appropriate, there is a need for leaders to ensure that teachers adhere to these plans more thoroughly.
Pupils and their families appreciate the opportunities for wider development, such as participation in the eco council and community activities. The school prioritizes the well-being of both pupils and staff, providing high-quality support for those with complex needs. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff trained to keep pupils safe and systems in place to address concerns. Pupils feel secure and understand how to maintain their safety, including online.
To improve, the school needs to ensure that all pupils grasp the key knowledge outlined in the history curriculum and that risk assessments from external providers align with the school's high standards. Overall, Chowbent Primary School continues to provide a supportive and effective learning environment for its pupils.
