Newtown Primary School, part of the High Peak Federation, is located in New Mills, Derbyshire. The recent inspection conducted on March 5 and 6, 2024, rated the school as good in all areas, including overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school is characterized by a warm and welcoming environment where pupils feel safe and happy to learn. They demonstrate kindness and respect towards one another, and from the early years, they are taught essential social skills such as taking turns and listening.
Staff at Newtown Primary School maintain high expectations for pupil achievement, fostering positive attitudes towards learning. Pupils find their lessons engaging and work diligently across the curriculum, adhering to the core values of respect. The school environment is calm and orderly, with effective behaviour management strategies in place. Instances of bullying are rare, and pupils feel confident that staff will address any concerns they may have. Parents and carers express overwhelming satisfaction with the school, highlighting the nurturing and supportive ethos.
The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, catering for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Leaders have designed the curriculum to ensure that knowledge is logically sequenced, allowing pupils to revisit and embed key concepts over time. For instance, history lessons in Year 2 focus on Viking artifacts, while Year 4 explores how historians interpret ancient Egyptian life. Regular memory tasks help pupils retain information, although some subjects may not always provide work that is precisely matched to pupils' abilities, hindering their progress.
Reading is prioritized at Newtown Primary School, with pupils engaging with carefully selected texts in English and across other subjects. The systematic phonics program is effectively implemented, and daily phonics sessions are structured to support early readers. The school encourages a love for reading by introducing pupils to various authors and facilitating visits to the local library.
The early years provision is strong, with a focus on developing communication and language skills. Children engage in activities that promote early literacy and mathematics, demonstrating well-developed social skills during play. Attendance is generally good, with the school actively working with families to improve attendance for those who struggle.
Pupils have opportunities to experience the world beyond their local community through museum visits, outdoor activities, and residential trips. A variety of sports and extracurricular activities are available, helping to nurture pupils' interests and develop their character. While pupils learn about health, safety, and different cultures, there is a noted gap in their understanding of British values, which the school aims to address.
Governors possess a solid understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement, holding leaders accountable for their performance. Staff report that their workload and well-being are considered, contributing to a positive working environment.
The safeguarding arrangements at Newtown Primary School are effective, ensuring that pupils' welfare is prioritized. The inspection highlighted the need for the school to provide more challenging work in a few subjects and to enhance pupils' understanding of British values to better prepare them for life in modern Britain. Overall, Newtown Primary School is a supportive and effective educational institution that fosters a positive learning environment for its pupils.
