Ropery Walk Primary School, located in Seaham, County Durham, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on October 15-16, 2019. The school is characterized by a strong sense of community, where pupils express enthusiasm about their learning environment. They feel safe and well cared for, often describing the school as a large extended family. The staff maintain high expectations for all students, including those who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs and disabilities. Parents appreciate the support their children receive, noting effective communication from school leaders regarding their children's progress.
Pupil behavior is commendable, with students focused on their learning and showing respect towards visitors. They engage in various roles and responsibilities, such as playground buddies and eco-warriors, which foster their personal development. Instances of bullying are rare, and students are confident that staff will address any issues that arise.
The school excels in ensuring that pupils make good progress in their studies. Lessons are meticulously planned to build on prior knowledge, and subject leaders have clearly defined learning objectives for each stage of education. Teachers are attentive to students' existing knowledge and provide immediate support to prevent any learning gaps. From the onset of Reception, emphasis is placed on reading, with staff well-trained in phonics instruction. Children quickly learn new sounds and letters, and reading books are generally well-matched to their learning levels.
However, the school has identified reading in Key Stage 2 as an area for improvement, as some pupils do not progress in reading as well as they do in writing and mathematics. Daily reading sessions and online quizzes have been introduced to enhance comprehension skills. The English leader has implemented a whole-school reading approach to help students develop their vocabulary and comprehension abilities. Despite some pupils enjoying story time, it is not consistently practiced across all classes, leading to varied levels of interest in reading among students.
In mathematics, pupils perform well, with a structured program in place that aligns with national curriculum requirements. Regular opportunities for revisiting past learning help reinforce essential skills. The school also promotes healthy and active citizenship, embedding fundamental British values throughout the curriculum. The physical education program is robust, providing students with quality instruction and opportunities to participate in local competitions.
Support for pupils with special educational needs is carefully targeted, with individualized curriculums and small group support helping them develop essential skills. Attendance for these pupils has improved significantly since the last inspection.
The safeguarding measures in place are effective, with staff trained to recognize signs of abuse and clear procedures for reporting concerns. Leaders are proactive in ensuring that families receive the necessary support, and the curriculum educates pupils on online safety. While recruitment checks are conducted, some records could be improved for better clarity.
To enhance its performance, the school should ensure that all safeguarding checks are documented appropriately. Additionally, there is a need to align reading materials more closely with the phonics knowledge of pupils to improve fluency and accuracy. A more rigorous approach to the reading curriculum is necessary to foster a love of reading and ensure that all pupils achieve high standards in this area. Overall, Ropery Walk Primary School continues to provide a supportive and effective learning environment for its students.
