Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Stretham Community Primary School on 5 June 2019, following its previous judgment of good in January 2016. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, including the headteacher, school leaders, and governors, demonstrates a thorough understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement, which contributes to ongoing progress. Staff are fully supportive of the leadership’s vision, fostering an environment where pupils excel within their community. Parents express high satisfaction with the school, noting that their children enjoy learning and feel excited about attending.
The school collaborates with a local cluster of schools to share best practices and validate its work, particularly in writing. It is also involved in a project aimed at enhancing pupils’ vocabulary, which has positively influenced their verbal and written expression. Outdoor learning is a notable strength, with pupils regularly using the school’s learner pool, leading to nearly all being able to swim 25 meters by the end of Year 6. Recent installations of adventure play equipment and a wildlife exploration area further enrich the pupils' learning experiences and promote their appreciation of nature.
Pupils exhibit politeness and friendliness, feeling safe and secure in their school environment. They demonstrate enthusiasm for learning and take pride in their work. Classrooms are vibrant and engaging, showcasing students' achievements and fostering a sense of community. The school effectively promotes British values, encouraging respect for diversity.
Teaching quality is consistently strong, with teachers maintaining high expectations and using effective questioning to deepen pupils’ understanding. While most work is suitably challenging, there are instances where the most able pupils could be further extended in their learning. Specialist teaching in subjects such as sport and modern foreign languages is effective, preparing pupils well for secondary education. Over the past three years, the proportion of pupils achieving the expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics has consistently exceeded the national average, with nearly all pupils making good progress from their starting points.
Governors have actively sought to improve their effectiveness by reflecting on their roles and receiving guidance from a national leader of governance. They play a strategic role in supporting the school and monitoring progress against key priorities. Safeguarding measures are robust, with leaders fostering a culture of safety and well-being for all pupils. Staff receive regular training, ensuring compliance with government requirements, including e-safety education.
The inspection identified key areas for further development, including ensuring that all disadvantaged pupils make the progress they should and raising standards in writing. The school has implemented a vocabulary initiative that is showing positive results in writing, and there is a plan to extend this initiative to the early years and key stage 1. Additionally, it is essential to provide more challenging activities for the most able pupils across all subjects, allowing them to demonstrate their full potential. Overall, the school is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of improvement, with strong leadership and a committed staff dedicated to enhancing the educational experience for all pupils.
