Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Denton Community Primary School and Nursery on April 4, 2019, following its previous judgment of good in April 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team has effectively fostered a nurturing environment for pupils and their families, demonstrating a strong commitment to providing the best educational opportunities. The leadership's dedication to celebrating each pupil's achievements is evident, and the school is inclusive, welcoming all children from the local community.
The school leadership is well-informed about its strengths and areas for improvement. Actions taken to address identified developments have led to enhancements in pupils' learning and progress. Subject leaders have successfully implemented new teaching strategies in English and mathematics, although they are encouraged to further develop their leadership skills to ensure consistent application of these approaches across the school. While pupils enjoy the challenges presented in their learning, some express a desire for more rigorous tasks.
The governing body is described as knowledgeable and dedicated, actively supporting the school and maintaining high expectations. However, the limited number of governors has resulted in an excessive workload, hindering their ability to focus on strategic matters. Pupils generally enjoy their time at school and appreciate the support from staff, who are quick to address any behavioral issues. The behavior observed during the inspection was good, with pupils engaging positively in lessons and play.
Parents express overwhelming satisfaction with the school, particularly regarding the care and support their children receive. Many parents feel proud to have their children enrolled and appreciate the strong communication from staff about their children's progress. The school has successfully addressed a previous recommendation to enhance writing opportunities across various subjects, with pupils effectively using their writing skills in different contexts.
Safeguarding practices at the school are robust, with a strong emphasis on pupil safety. All necessary checks and records are maintained, and staff are well-trained to recognize and report concerns. The school community agrees that it is a safe environment, with pupils feeling comfortable approaching adults with any issues. The leadership is committed to improving attendance, providing practical support to families to ensure children attend school regularly, which has resulted in improved attendance rates for previously persistently absent pupils.
The inspection focused on several key areas, including safeguarding, attendance, pupil progress, the effective use of funding for vulnerable pupils, and the overall curriculum balance. The new mathematics teaching approach has improved pupils' number skills, although there is a need for more opportunities for pupils to articulate their thinking and challenge themselves. In English, while pupils write effectively, there is a need to extend their vocabulary for more precise language use in creative writing.
The school effectively utilizes the pupil premium to support disadvantaged pupils, leading to improved attendance and academic outcomes. The curriculum is diverse and engaging, with pupils enjoying various learning experiences, including extracurricular activities. The school has developed clear curriculum maps to ensure age-appropriate content and skill progression.
Next steps for the school include strengthening the governing body for more strategic oversight, further developing middle leadership to enhance its impact on pupil learning, and ensuring that all pupils, particularly the most able, are appropriately challenged across the curriculum. The inspection findings highlight the school's commitment to continuous improvement and the positive impact of its leadership on the educational experience of its pupils.
