Riverside Primary School, located in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, underwent an inspection on July 2 and 3, 2024. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas of strength and areas needing development identified. The quality of education was also rated as requiring improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision were rated as good. Leadership and management were found to require improvement.
Pupils at Riverside Primary School report feeling happy and safe, enjoying positive relationships with staff. They engage well with one another during break times and lunch, demonstrating good social skills. The school has established clear behaviour expectations, and pupils adhere to these rules, contributing to a positive learning environment. Those needing additional support for emotional management benefit from resources such as a sensory room.
The curriculum has seen recent improvements, with pupils studying a wide range of subjects and benefiting from a structured approach to reading. However, some areas of the curriculum lack clear progression, hindering the development of strong subject knowledge. The school offers various extracurricular activities, particularly in sports, and pupils take pride in their roles, such as being buddies for younger students. Nonetheless, attendance remains a concern, as some pupils do not attend regularly enough to fully benefit from these opportunities.
The school has made strides in enhancing the curriculum's depth, particularly in early years and some subjects, where essential knowledge has been identified and sequenced logically. However, in other subjects, the curriculum's content and sequencing require further consideration to ensure pupils can build on their prior knowledge effectively. Mathematics outcomes have historically been low, but recent curriculum changes are beginning to show positive results, particularly in early years. Despite this, older pupils still face significant knowledge gaps that hinder their progress.
Teachers effectively use questioning to assess pupils' understanding and have focused on improving writing through modeling and scaffolding techniques. Reading is prioritized across the school, with daily phonics instruction and guided reading sessions. Staff receive ongoing training to enhance their reading instruction skills, and additional support is provided for pupils at early reading stages.
The school is proactive in identifying and addressing the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Staff understand these pupils' specific requirements and adapt the curriculum delivery accordingly. While most pupils attend regularly, some do not, which affects their academic performance. The school collaborates with families and external agencies to address attendance issues.
Riverside Primary School promotes broader development effectively, encouraging pupils to learn about life beyond their immediate community through various educational trips. The curriculum prepares pupils for life in modern Britain, emphasizing fundamental British values, diversity, and online safety.
Leadership and governance are committed to improving the school, with a focus on supporting middle leaders in developing coherent curriculums. Staff feel supported and appreciate efforts to reduce workload. The school engages with the community through initiatives like reading workshops for parents.
The safeguarding arrangements at Riverside Primary School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. To improve, the school must ensure that the entire curriculum is coherently sequenced to support pupils' learning and address attendance issues to help all pupils achieve their full potential.
