Coomb Briggs Primary School, located in Immingham, Lincolnshire, underwent an inspection on December 10-11, 2019, and received an overall effectiveness rating of good. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all rated as good, while early years provision was noted as requiring improvement. The school has maintained its good rating since the previous inspection in June 2018.
Pupils at Coomb Briggs Primary School demonstrate care and respect for one another, expressing pride in their school and enjoyment in their learning experiences. They report feeling safe and believe that any instances of bullying would be addressed promptly by staff. The positive relationships between pupils and staff contribute to a welcoming environment where pupils are eager to participate in a variety of activities, including numerous sporting clubs and competitions.
Teachers at the school have high expectations for pupil performance, ensuring that foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics are well established. Pupils exhibit confidence when engaging with visitors, and the inspection team noted the warm reception they received from the school community. The headteacher and staff have made significant efforts to enhance the curriculum, resulting in well-planned and effectively delivered lessons across most subjects. In mathematics, for instance, teachers ensure that pupils can apply previously learned concepts before progressing to new topics.
While history teaching is well-structured and has sparked pupils' interest, particularly through engaging activities like school trips, there is a need for pupils to better understand how their learning in different subjects connects. The school prioritizes reading, and improvements have been made in how it is taught. However, there is a gap in ensuring that Reception teachers build on the phonetic knowledge that children already possess, which affects their readiness for Year 1.
In the early years, staff provide a range of activities to support children's development, but expectations for what children can achieve are sometimes too low. This results in some children not being adequately prepared for the demands of the Year 1 curriculum. The school is aware of this issue and is working to improve the quality of early years education to ensure continuity between Reception and Year 1.
The curriculum is inclusive, catering well to pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, who are fully integrated into lessons and receive appropriate support. The school fosters a positive learning environment where pupils settle quickly to work and exhibit curiosity and interest in their studies.
Coomb Briggs Primary School offers a variety of extracurricular experiences, including after-school clubs and sporting competitions, which contribute to pupils' personal development. However, there is recognition that while pupils study various religions, they may not fully grasp the similarities between them.
Governance at the school is strong, with experienced governors working closely with leaders to ensure effective management. Leaders are beginning to monitor the curriculum more closely, with plans for continued oversight to enhance teaching and learning.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with thorough checks on staff and training to identify and report concerns. Pupils feel safe, and staff teach them how to stay safe in various contexts, including online.
To improve, the school needs to ensure that pupils understand the connections between their learning across subjects and enhance the early years curriculum to better prepare children for future academic challenges. The leadership team is committed to these improvements and is actively working towards achieving them.
