Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Larchfield Primary and Nursery School on 26 March 2019, following its previous judgment of good in June 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, under the headteacher Mrs. Jacqui Kearney, has effectively addressed the challenges posed by significant leadership changes since 2015. Since her appointment in September 2017, Mrs. Kearney has successfully built a strong, collaborative team that shares a unified vision focused on prioritizing the needs of children. Staff morale is high, and they take pride in their work at the school.
The leadership team has accurately identified areas for improvement and has taken swift action to enhance educational provision. The local authority has provided effective support to help raise standards. The school has re-established its role within the community, with parents expressing confidence in the leadership and the positive changes implemented. The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum, with particular strengths in physical education, where pupils engage in various sports and competitions. The curriculum is further enriched by extracurricular activities, fostering a sense of pride among pupils.
Pupils demonstrate enthusiasm for their school, showcasing high-quality work and a positive attitude towards learning. They appreciate various aspects of school life, including the daily mile run and science experiments. Parents also express satisfaction with the school, noting their children's happiness and the supportive school community. The school has successfully addressed previous recommendations regarding mathematics teaching, with pupils achieving results in line with national averages. However, there remains a need to challenge the most able pupils further in mathematics.
In response to previous feedback, the school has improved outdoor learning opportunities for early years children, establishing outdoor classrooms that enhance learning experiences. Safeguarding measures are effective, with leaders fulfilling their statutory duties and ensuring a strong culture of safety. Records indicate that prompt action is taken when necessary, and staff are well-trained in safeguarding responsibilities. Pupils feel safe and have a good understanding of bullying, reporting that it is rare at the school.
The inspection focused on the teaching of mathematics, reading standards, and the effectiveness of outdoor areas in early years. The teaching of mathematics is generally effective, with most pupils making strong progress. However, leaders recognize the need for higher expectations for the most able pupils. In reading, the school has implemented a new reading scheme and a variety of quality texts, fostering a culture of enjoyment in reading. Pupils are encouraged to read regularly, and their vocabulary development is prioritized.
While the phonics screening check results have improved, there is still room for growth in writing, particularly for boys in early years. The outdoor learning environment is engaging, but there is potential to further inspire children's writing through outdoor activities. The next steps for the school include ensuring that teaching consistently challenges the most able pupils in mathematics, providing more opportunities for pupils to apply comprehension skills, and enhancing writing progress in early years. Overall, the school demonstrates a clear capacity for continued improvement and a commitment to providing a high-quality education for its pupils.
