Barton Primary School, located in Newport on the Isle of Wight, has recently undergone an inspection on the 24th and 25th of September 2024. The school has been rated as good across all key areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This reflects the school’s commitment to providing a supportive and effective learning environment for its pupils.
The school is deeply integrated into the local community, fostering strong relationships with families through various initiatives. One notable event is the termly ‘share my learning’ event, which encourages family participation in the educational process. Additionally, the school organizes popular cooking workshops for families, enhancing community engagement. The pastoral team, including a Family Liaison Officer, plays a crucial role in supporting families, ensuring they feel connected and valued within the school community.
High expectations for pupil achievement are evident throughout the school. Following previous disappointing outcomes in certain subjects, the school has taken decisive action to enhance its curriculum and teaching methods. This proactive approach has led to improved pupil performance across many areas of learning. The school also invites visitors to engage with students, providing real-world connections to their studies and showcasing how their education relates to future opportunities.
Behaviour expectations are set high, and most pupils meet these standards, demonstrating politeness and respect towards one another and their teachers. However, there are instances in some lessons where a few pupils struggle to maintain focus and require reminders to stay engaged. During break and lunchtime, pupils are active and enjoy harmonious play with their peers, taking advantage of the variety of equipment and activities available, including a popular climbing area.
The school is dedicated to ensuring that its curriculum is relevant and accessible to all students. Clear learning objectives are established across all subjects, and the school is attentive to the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. This careful consideration ensures that these pupils achieve well, with accurate identification and appropriate support in place. In ‘The Cabin,’ pupils with more complex needs receive personalized support to aid their social and emotional development.
Reading instruction is prioritized, and the school has made significant strides in improving its approach. Clear expectations are set for how pupils learn to read using a phonics scheme, and many students demonstrate increasing fluency in their reading. This is particularly evident in the early years, where children show proficiency in reading and writing simple words. However, there remains some inconsistency in reading progress across the school, particularly for those who need to catch up.
Pupils generally enjoy mathematics and are developing the necessary skills and knowledge. The school has recognized past underachievement in this area and has raised expectations accordingly. The mathematics curriculum includes regular reviews of prior learning, allowing pupils to build on their knowledge effectively. Early years children are encouraged to use mathematical language and engage in activities that promote their understanding of numbers.
While most pupils are attentive and focused during lessons, a small number occasionally distract others and require reminders to engage fully in their learning. Attendance rates are good, with a decrease in the number of persistently absent pupils, thanks to the school’s efforts to promote the importance of regular attendance and support families in need.
The school’s values are reinforced through a personal development programme that offers pupils a range of opportunities. Participation in activities such as a recent residential trip to Kingswood has helped students develop independence and resilience. The ‘No Outsiders’ lessons and assemblies promote kindness and empathy, fostering a welcoming environment that appreciates diversity.
The safeguarding arrangements at Barton Primary School are effective, ensuring that pupils are safe and well cared for. However, the school acknowledges the need for ongoing improvement, particularly in ensuring consistent reading instruction and maintaining high behaviour expectations across all lessons. Overall, Barton Primary School demonstrates a strong commitment to providing a quality education and fostering a positive learning environment for all its pupils.
