Alverton Primary School, located in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on April 17 and 18, 2024. The school is characterized by a nurturing and aspirational environment, offering an ambitious curriculum that broadens pupils' horizons. The leadership team has established high expectations for all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The curriculum is designed to prepare pupils for their next stages of learning, and most students achieve well.
The school has a notable proportion of pupils with special educational needs, which is a celebrated aspect of its community. The Hive, a targeted mainstream provision, offers tailored education and support for these pupils, ensuring they receive the necessary care and attention. Safety is a priority at Alverton, with pupils expressing confidence in their understanding of online safety and risk identification. The school provides a wide range of extracurricular activities that enhance pupils' experiences, including leadership opportunities such as digital leaders and reading warriors. Recent initiatives to improve attendance are beginning to show positive results.
Alverton Primary School prides itself on inclusivity, celebrating the individuality of its pupils. Relationships between staff and students are positive, particularly in The Hive. However, pupil behavior can vary throughout the day, with expectations for good conduct being met in lessons but not consistently upheld during playtimes.
The school excels in delivering a broad and ambitious curriculum, with most pupils achieving well. Teachers demonstrate strong subject expertise and collaborate effectively to create engaging lessons. The introduction of strategies to help pupils retain their learning over the long term has been beneficial, with many lessons allowing for reflection on previous learning and vocabulary. In subjects where this practice is consistent, pupils articulate their learning with confidence. However, some foundation subjects lack well-embedded assessment systems, making it difficult for the school to identify gaps in pupils' knowledge.
Early reading is prioritized at Alverton, with a new phonics scheme implemented in recent years. This initiative has positively impacted pupils' reading achievements, with staff well-trained to deliver phonics effectively. Children learn to read quickly and fluently, and high expectations are set for all pupils, including those with special educational needs. While younger pupils benefit from engaging phonics sessions, some older pupils who missed this strong foundation are supported through targeted interventions.
The school demonstrates a commitment to inclusion, engaging with external specialists to identify and support pupils' needs. Most pupils with special educational needs work towards the same goals as their peers, benefiting from precise strategies in lessons that facilitate their learning success.
Children in the early years make a strong start, with a nurturing environment that fosters independence and peer support. Staff effectively model language, and children confidently discuss their learning experiences. The early years curriculum includes ample opportunities for mathematics, with daily activities that enhance their understanding of numbers.
Recently, the school has introduced a new behavior management approach, which is positively influencing conduct in lessons. However, inconsistencies remain during unstructured times, with some pupils exhibiting less than good behavior during playtimes. The school is working to ensure consistency in behavior expectations throughout the day.
Alverton Primary School offers various opportunities to enhance pupils' development beyond the curriculum, including educational visits and themed days that spark curiosity and raise aspirations. The school prioritizes the health and well-being of its pupils, and the newly formed leadership team is committed to improving the curriculum and staff well-being. Governors are engaged and understand their responsibilities, contributing to the school's improvement journey. Staff express pride in their work environment, with workload considerations alleviating concerns.
The safeguarding arrangements at Alverton are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, the school recognizes the need to improve attendance rates, as some pupils do not attend regularly enough to make the progress they are capable of achieving. The school is also focused on embedding behavior management systems during unstructured times to ensure a consistent approach to behavior expectations. Overall, Alverton Primary School continues to provide a supportive and effective educational experience for its pupils.
