Birstwith Church of England Primary School, located in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on October 5, 2022. The school embodies a Christian ethos, promoting respect and dignity among staff and pupils. The leaders consistently remind students of the importance of loving one another, which contributes to a positive school environment where bullying is rare. Parents and carers actively support their children's learning, aligning with the school's high expectations for every pupil. However, the curriculum has been identified as not ambitious enough to fully meet the diverse needs of all students.
The headteacher, who took on the role in September 2021, has initiated a curriculum review that has led to significant improvements. Subject leaders have begun to take charge of their areas, and the new curriculum is well established across all subjects. Collaboration with local schools has enhanced curriculum expertise, allowing for manageable workloads for teachers. The school effectively adapts its curriculum for mixed-age classes, ensuring that all pupils engage with the same topics while tailoring learning to their specific year group objectives. Educational visits, such as trips to local castles, enrich the history curriculum, although there are instances where teachers miss opportunities to build on pupils' prior knowledge.
Pupils demonstrate enthusiasm for learning, particularly in English, where many arrive with a solid foundation in phonics. This strong start enables them to progress quickly in reading, with all Year 1 pupils achieving the expected standard in the phonics screening check in 2022. The headteacher also serves as the special educational needs coordinator, working to strengthen support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The use of diagnostic tests allows for accurate identification of individual learning difficulties, enabling tailored support that helps these pupils make good progress.
The school promotes pupils' wider development effectively, teaching them about democracy through a pupil council where representatives from each year group engage in decision-making processes regarding charitable support. This experience fosters moral education and encourages pupils to articulate their reasoning.
Safeguarding measures at the school are robust, ensuring that all staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children. The curriculum has been adapted to teach pupils about safety, particularly concerning local risks such as water safety and county lines drug trafficking. Staff are trained to recognize and address these issues, ensuring that pupils are well-informed about potential dangers.
Despite the school's strengths, there are areas for improvement. The curriculum needs to be more challenging and better aligned with the needs of all pupils to ensure consistent achievement. Leaders are encouraged to enhance the curriculum's ambition to support every student's learning journey effectively. Overall, Birstwith Church of England Primary School continues to provide a supportive and engaging learning environment, with a commitment to fostering respect, safety, and readiness among its pupils.
