Killinghall Primary School, located in Bradford, West Yorkshire, has been rated as good in its recent inspection conducted on April 4 and 5, 2023. The school is characterized by a strong sense of community, with pupils expressing pride in their school and enjoyment in learning. The leadership and staff prioritize building relationships with families and the local community, demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of their students. Pupils feel safe and valued, with staff actively listening to their ideas and concerns. The school promotes high expectations for behavior, resulting in a respectful and orderly environment where bullying is reported to be rare.
The school has established various roles for pupils, such as school councillors and well-being ambassadors, which are viewed as inspirational by the students. These roles are supported by training that empowers pupils to make decisions and promote healthy lifestyles. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the school has focused on reconnecting with the community and enhancing parental involvement, which has been positively received by families. Leaders are now concentrating on further developing the curriculum to ensure that pupils retain essential knowledge across all subjects.
While the school has made significant strides in its educational offerings, there are areas for improvement. Leaders are ambitious in their goal to create an inspiring curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. In core subjects like mathematics and science, there is a clear progression of knowledge from early years to Year 6. However, the curriculum lacks sufficient detail in some subjects, which hampers teachers' ability to plan effective lessons that build on pupils' knowledge over time. This inconsistency affects the depth of understanding across the curriculum.
Reading has been a focal point for development, with teachers effectively teaching various reading skills and ensuring that pupils read daily. The school provides a wide range of engaging books, and pupils enjoy receiving awards for their reading achievements. In early years provision, staff encourage independence and monitor learning closely through well-planned activities. However, the teaching of phonics in Reception and Key Stage 1 has been inconsistent, leading to challenges for some pupils in mastering early reading skills. Leaders are aware of this and have planned interventions, but these need to be more frequent to ensure timely support.
The school is inclusive, with leaders quickly identifying pupils with special educational needs and adapting learning to meet their needs. The bespoke learning plans in the Raise Room ensure that pupils with complex needs make strong progress. The well-being curriculum addresses personal development, covering topics like healthy lifestyles and safety. While pupils enjoy these lessons, retention of knowledge regarding important issues such as British values could be improved.
Attendance remains a challenge, often falling below the national average due to families taking holidays during term time. Leaders actively engage with parents to address this issue and emphasize the importance of consistent attendance for learning opportunities. The governing body plays an active role in supporting and challenging school leaders, and staff generally feel supported in their roles.
The safeguarding arrangements at Killinghall Primary School are effective, with a strong culture of safeguarding evident throughout the school. Staff are trained to recognize and report concerns, ensuring that pupils are well-supported. Overall, while the school demonstrates many strengths, particularly in community engagement and pupil well-being, there are clear areas for development in curriculum planning and phonics instruction that need to be addressed to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
