Cricoe and Rylstone Voluntary Controlled Church of England Primary School has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on January 24, 2024. The school provides a nurturing and supportive environment where pupils feel safe and happy. Both parents and students appreciate the familial atmosphere that characterizes the school. Pupils demonstrate positive behavior, showing kindness and respect towards one another. The school has implemented various strategies to allow pupils to voice their concerns, such as the 'worry monster' initiative, although many prefer to speak directly to staff, who are responsive to their needs.
Pupils are encouraged to take on various responsibilities, which fosters a sense of ownership and community. They engage in roles ranging from monitors for classroom pets to safeguarding auditors, contributing to the school's safety protocols. This involvement helps pupils develop a strong understanding of personal safety, both online and offline. The school also promotes entrepreneurial skills through activities like selling honey and candles produced from their beekeeping efforts, which pupils take pride in.
The school has high expectations for all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Leaders are committed to continuously improving the curriculum, leveraging the expertise of teachers across the federation and local resources. This results in a broad and balanced curriculum that includes opportunities for expert teaching in physical education at a nearby secondary school. The curriculum is carefully designed to ensure that pupils acquire essential knowledge from the early years onward, with a focus on preparing them for future learning.
Reading is a priority at the school, with staff trained to deliver a phonics program effectively. Pupils enjoy their reading lessons, which is reflected in their engagement levels. However, some pupils at the early stages of reading struggle with fluency and confidence due to being assigned books that do not align with their phonics knowledge. This misalignment can hinder their progress in developing reading skills.
In most subjects, leaders have established effective checks to assess what pupils know and remember, allowing teachers to identify gaps in understanding. Pupils can confidently recall their learning and make connections with prior knowledge. However, in a few subjects, such as personal, social, and health education, the checks are not as precise, leading to some pupils having a vague understanding of key concepts.
Staff at the school model high expectations for behavior, resulting in polite and courteous interactions among pupils and with visitors. The school environment is orderly, and pupils engage positively with their tasks. Staff express pride in their work and feel supported by leadership, which is mindful of their workload and work-life balance. The governing body plays an active role in supporting and challenging school leaders, contributing to the overall development of the school.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring that pupils are protected and their welfare is prioritized. Moving forward, the school aims to address the reading fluency issues for some pupils by ensuring they are provided with appropriate reading materials. Additionally, there is a need for more precise assessments in all subjects to ensure that gaps in knowledge are effectively addressed. Overall, Cracoe and Rylstone Voluntary Controlled Church of England Primary School continues to provide a good quality of education, with a strong commitment to the well-being and development of its pupils.
