Bradfield C.E. Primary School, located in Southend, Berkshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection from November 6 to November 7, 2019. The school is characterized by a positive and nurturing environment where parents, pupils, and staff express satisfaction with the school's friendly and caring atmosphere. The school promotes Christian values, which serve as a foundation for students' behavior and work ethic. Adults in the school are committed to the success of all pupils, fostering both personal and academic growth. In classrooms, students generally exhibit positive behavior and engage well with their learning, encouraged by staff who promote independent thinking and curiosity.
The relationships between staff, pupils, and parents are strong, with pupils feeling comfortable discussing any concerns with adults. While occasional friendship disputes occur, bullying is reported to be rare, and pupils trust that staff will address any issues promptly. The school also emphasizes safety, teaching pupils how to protect themselves, particularly in relation to internet use. Pupils appreciate the diverse range of clubs and activities available, which help them develop self-confidence and prepare for secondary education.
The school excels in its reading program, ensuring that young children quickly learn to read from the start of their education. Various strategies, including visits from a therapy dog, are employed to create a relaxed reading environment. Phonics are taught systematically, enabling children to blend sounds and read words effectively. Teachers are enthusiastic readers themselves, which inspires a love of reading among pupils. Older students demonstrate a strong understanding of literature, as seen in their studies of complex texts like the epic poem Beowulf.
Most subjects in the curriculum are well-planned and delivered, with leaders providing support and training to teachers to enhance their expertise. This results in a coherent progression of learning, particularly in reading and mathematics, where pupils build their knowledge over time. Engaging activities in subjects like history further reinforce learning and capture pupils' interest.
However, the school recognizes the need for improvement in certain areas. While leaders are actively reviewing and updating the curriculum, subjects such as modern foreign languages and design and technology require better planning and stronger subject knowledge among staff. This inconsistency can lead to less effective teaching in these areas.
Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is a strength of the school, with the special educational needs coordinator working closely with teachers and parents to ensure appropriate support is provided. This enables these pupils to achieve well both personally and academically.
The school also engages pupils in understanding the world around them through planned visits and community involvement. Recent campaigns led by pupils to advocate for children's rights demonstrate their awareness of social issues. Although most pupils understand the school's values and rules, a small number of parents and pupils feel that behavior could be improved. New behavior management procedures have been implemented to address this, resulting in noticeable improvements.
Overall, the staff share a vision for continuous improvement and feel valued, particularly due to efforts to reduce their workload. The safeguarding measures in place are effective, with a strong culture of safety evident throughout the school. The school is committed to ensuring that all subjects are well-planned and sequenced, with ongoing support for staff to enhance their subject knowledge.
