Naunton Park Primary School, located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, has recently undergone an inspection that highlighted its positive environment and commitment to high educational standards. The school has been rated as good across all key areas, including the quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school has a strong ethos focused on achieving the best for all pupils, which fosters motivation and a love for learning. Pupils are engaged and produce high-quality work, reflecting the effective teaching strategies employed by the staff.
The school maintains a calm and orderly atmosphere with clear expectations for behavior. Most pupils adhere to these expectations, which are instilled from the early years. The positive behavior is evident in the polite and well-mannered interactions among pupils, both in the classroom and during social times. The school encourages resilience and perseverance, teaching pupils that making mistakes is part of the learning process. This approach helps students develop a growth mindset.
Naunton Park Primary School offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including choir, sports, and drama, which allow pupils to explore their interests and talents. Enrichment activities, such as attending local literature festivals and outdoor learning experiences, further broaden pupils' horizons beyond the classroom. The school is dedicated to inclusivity, ensuring that all pupils are encouraged to achieve their potential.
While the school has made significant strides in developing its curriculum, there are areas that require further refinement. The curriculum is continuously evolving, but in some subjects, it does not yet clearly outline the essential knowledge that pupils need to acquire. This can hinder the progression of understanding over time. Teachers generally support pupils well in learning new content, particularly in reading and mathematics, where pupils are able to make connections to prior knowledge. However, adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are not consistently effective across all subjects.
The school has prioritized the development of reading and mathematics, with systems in place to monitor pupil progress and address any gaps in understanding. This focus has led to a strong foundation in these subjects. In contrast, the writing curriculum is still in the early stages of development, and some younger pupils struggle with the technical skills necessary for later writing tasks. The school is actively working to improve writing outcomes for all pupils.
Lessons at Naunton Park are characterized by a purposeful and calm environment, with effective support provided for pupils who need assistance with their behavior. The school is also making improvements to its early years provision, with a new curriculum that supports indoor learning well. However, outdoor activities could be enhanced to better support language and communication development.
Attendance is a focus for the school, with efforts made to ensure that expectations are clear to families. While many pupils attend regularly, the school continues to work on strategies to improve overall attendance rates. Staff at the school report high levels of job satisfaction, appreciating the support for their workload and professional development opportunities.
Pupils are educated about maintaining their health, both mental and physical, and are given leadership opportunities through various roles within the school. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Overall, Naunton Park Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a high-quality education while recognizing areas for ongoing improvement.
