Nailsworth Church of England Primary School, located in Gloucestershire, has undergone an ungraded inspection on 18 and 19 October 2023. The overall judgement remains good, but evidence suggests that a graded inspection might yield a lower rating. The interim leadership team has made significant strides in improving pupil safeguarding and has established a clear action plan to enhance pupils' understanding of the curriculum. Regular assessments for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are now in place, ensuring that additional support is effective. However, improvements in educational quality, particularly in early years, are still in the early stages.
Pupils at the school are described as happy, polite, and safe, enjoying their time during play. Older students act as buddies to younger children, helping them adjust to school life. Recent initiatives, such as 'Marvellous Mondays,' allow pupils to share their work with parents and caregivers, fostering a sense of community. The school excels in promoting personal development, encouraging pupils to engage with the local community through activities like litter picking and gardening. Parents have noted increased confidence in their children, attributing this to the supportive staff and various enrichment opportunities.
While the school has a whole-school curriculum, it has not clearly defined the essential knowledge that pupils should acquire across all subjects, including early years. The curriculum lacks a structured approach, making it challenging for teachers to plan effectively. Consequently, pupils often retain superficial knowledge and struggle to connect historical events chronologically. The school has plans to refine the curriculum and support teachers in using assessment data to inform their planning, but this process is still in its infancy.
Reading is a priority, with phonics being taught and resources aligned with pupils' phonetic knowledge. Most pupils successfully learn to segment and blend sounds. However, until recently, those struggling with reading, including some with SEND, did not receive adequate support, leading to difficulties in applying their phonetic skills in reading and writing. The introduction of high-quality texts aims to enrich the reading curriculum, enhancing vocabulary and comprehension while broadening pupils' cultural knowledge.
The school values external visitors and trips, which help expand pupils' horizons. The curriculum includes lessons on online safety and health, ensuring pupils understand the importance of well-being. Attendance is prioritized, with leaders collaborating with families to address barriers to regular school attendance, resulting in positive outcomes.
Pupil behavior is generally good, with most moving calmly around the school. The new behavior policy and tracking of incidents help identify pupils needing additional support. Staff training is underway to assist pupils in managing their emotions effectively. However, governors currently lack a full understanding of their roles and responsibilities, although they are receiving support from the diocese to improve their governance skills.
Safeguarding arrangements are deemed effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. The school must focus on improving the early years curriculum to better meet children's needs and ensure that essential knowledge is identified and retained across all subjects. Additionally, developing subject leadership is crucial for enhancing educational standards throughout the school. Overall, while the school demonstrates strengths in personal development and community engagement, it faces challenges in curriculum implementation and educational quality that need to be addressed for continued improvement.
