Gladstone Road Primary School in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, has recently undergone an inspection on July 3 and 4, 2023, and has been rated as good in overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This marks a significant improvement from its previous inspection, which rated the school as requiring improvement.
Pupils at Gladstone Road are described as happy and enthusiastic, serving as positive ambassadors for their school. They express genuine affection for their teachers and the school environment. A notable initiative is the well-being ambassadors program, where selected Year 5 pupils support their peers, demonstrating a strong sense of community and care among students. The school has made considerable efforts to enhance its curriculum since the last inspection, with subject leaders showing passion and high expectations for student achievement. Pupils benefit from a variety of educational and residential trips that complement their learning, including a recent visit to London by Year 6 students, which was met with great enthusiasm.
Behaviour within the school is reported to be positive, with both pupils and staff exhibiting high levels of respect for one another. Incidents of bullying are rare, and when behavioural issues arise, staff are proactive in addressing them. Pupils feel safe and are well-informed about how to maintain their safety, a sentiment echoed by parents and staff.
The school has developed an ambitious curriculum over the past 18 months, with subject leaders possessing a clear understanding of the knowledge pupils need to acquire. While many subjects are well-established and engaging, there are some inconsistencies in the implementation and assessment of the curriculum in certain foundation subjects. Teachers adapt the curriculum to ensure that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities can access the same content as their peers.
The early years provision is designed to lay a strong foundation for future learning, providing a rich environment for play and exploration. Children in Reception benefit from a language and number-rich setting, which supports their vocabulary and numeracy development. The teaching of phonics is effective, enabling pupils, including those for whom English is an additional language, to become proficient readers. The school promotes a love of reading, with ample opportunities for pupils to engage with high-quality literature.
Gladstone Road Primary School also emphasizes character development, promoting values of equality, diversity, and tolerance. A wide range of extracurricular clubs is available, ensuring that all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds, have opportunities to participate. Leaders actively work to remove barriers to participation in these activities.
The school leadership, including a knowledgeable governing body, has a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement. They have established a strategic plan that supports ongoing development and improvement. Teachers feel supported in their roles, with a focus on their well-being and workload management.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are robust, with a strong culture of safety. All staff receive appropriate training, and pupils demonstrate a clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The school has effective recruitment processes to ensure the safety of all staff and volunteers.
To further improve, the school needs to ensure that the implementation of the curriculum is consistently embedded across all subjects and that assessment practices are strengthened in foundation subjects. This will help to ensure that all pupils achieve the aims of the curriculum and are well-prepared for future learning.
