Barley Croft Primary School, located in Leicester, has been recognized for its overall effectiveness, receiving a Good rating in various areas during its inspection in May 2019. The school prides itself on providing a stimulating and challenging learning environment, which is evident in the pride expressed by both pupils and staff. The leadership team, comprising senior and middle leaders, demonstrates a strong commitment to high standards in teaching, learning, and assessment, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The school is currently engaged in a comprehensive redesign of its curriculum to ensure it is broad, balanced, and relevant to the needs of its pupils. Teachers exhibit good subject knowledge and effectively utilize questioning techniques to enhance pupils' understanding. The support provided to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is commendable, with effective teaching and assistance available in both the designated specialist provision and mainstream classes. This inclusive approach allows these pupils to thrive and make significant progress.
Pupil behavior is characterized by orderliness, calmness, and politeness, with a natural respect for adults and peers. The school promotes an appreciation for diversity, encouraging pupils to embrace differences among themselves. Over the past three years, pupils have consistently made strong progress in reading, writing, and mathematics by the end of Year 6, with disadvantaged pupils achieving results that place them in the top 10 to 20 percent nationally. However, there have been fluctuations in attainment standards, particularly in key stage 2, where the combined figure for attainment fell below average in 2018.
While teachers generally provide well-matched activities for pupils, there are instances where tasks do not adequately challenge the most able pupils, particularly in mathematics. Additionally, the leadership and governing body have not systematically reviewed their plans for spending the pupil premium and physical education funding, resulting in a lack of up-to-date oversight regarding the impact of this spending.
The early years provision is also rated as good, with effective leadership and teaching that support children's learning and development. Children make strong progress and are well-prepared for Year 1. However, there is a need for further training to enhance staff skills in promoting language development among children.
To further improve, the school aims to continue developing its curriculum to allow pupils to study a full range of subjects in depth. It also seeks to systematically review the impact of additional funding and ensure that teachers consistently set work that meets the needs of the most able pupils. Furthermore, the school is committed to enhancing adult interactions with children in the early years to promote effective learning and language development.
The leadership team has successfully addressed previous shortcomings identified in earlier inspections, establishing high expectations for teaching quality. Regular checks on teaching effectiveness provide leaders with a clear understanding of strengths and areas for improvement. Middle leaders are actively involved in monitoring teaching quality, demonstrating enthusiasm for their roles and a commitment to pupil achievement.
Governors play an active role in the school, participating in events and monitoring visits. They prioritize safeguarding and hold leaders accountable for the school's performance. However, there is a need for governors to challenge leaders regarding the lack of current plans for pupil premium and physical education funding.
The school's safeguarding arrangements are effective, with thorough procedures in place for recording concerns and conducting employment checks. A proactive approach to pupil welfare is evident through the establishment of a dedicated team that addresses any concerns promptly. Staff training is current, and a culture of care and vigilance is prevalent throughout the school.
Overall, Barley Croft Primary School demonstrates a strong commitment to providing quality education and fostering a positive learning environment. With ongoing efforts to refine its curriculum and enhance teaching practices, the school is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of improvement and success for all its pupils.
