Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of Marpool Primary School on July 16-17, 2024, following its previous judgment that the school required special measures. The purpose of this inspection was to assess the progress made by the school since the last graded inspection in June 2023. The inspection team, led by His Majesty's Inspector Susan Aykin, engaged with school leaders, members of the Cornerstone Academy Trust, local authority representatives, and governors to evaluate the actions taken to improve the school.
The findings indicate that while progress has been made, further work is necessary for the school to no longer be classified as requiring special measures. The school has appointed new leaders for each subject area in the curriculum and has collaborated closely with the Cornerstone Academy Trust and the local authority. The focus of the inspection was on the quality of education and the effectiveness of leadership actions. Notably, improvements in the teaching of early reading were highlighted, with staff implementing the reading program effectively. This has resulted in pupils in the early years learning to read with success and confidence. Leaders have also prioritized language acquisition and development through well-planned activities, contributing to positive outcomes in reading.
However, the leadership of curriculum subjects has undergone revision, and while curriculum leaders have begun reviewing content and assessment practices, some areas remain underdeveloped. Leaders acknowledge the need for further improvement in curriculum design and the quality of teaching in certain subjects. For instance, in mathematics, the use of assessment by teachers is inconsistent, leading to some pupils struggling while others are not sufficiently challenged. Additionally, there is a need for better adaptation of mathematics teaching to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
The school has conducted an audit of its needs and established targeted training for staff to address areas identified for improvement in the previous inspection report. Although the impact of this training is not yet fully evident, staff have expressed positive feedback regarding the support for their well-being and workload. Governors are actively involved in monitoring the school's progress and provide both challenge and support.
Safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring that pupils feel safe. Changes to lunchtime arrangements have reduced congestion in dining and outdoor areas, contributing to a calmer environment. The management of pupil behavior has been prioritized, resulting in less unruly behavior and a generally safe and supportive atmosphere. The school environment is described as calm and harmonious, with leaders vigilant about the physical and emotional safety of pupils.
External support has been utilized to audit the quality of education and the effectiveness of leadership, identifying specific areas for focus. While some actions taken by the school have shown success, particularly in managing pupil behavior, there remains significant work to be done to realize the full impact of leadership actions. The school may appoint early career teachers before the next monitoring inspection, with a recommendation to limit the number to ensure effective support.
In summary, Marpool Primary School has made strides in improving its educational quality and leadership effectiveness since the last inspection. However, ongoing challenges in curriculum development, assessment practices, and support for all pupils indicate that further efforts are required to achieve the desired outcomes and ultimately lift the school out of special measures.