Overstone Primary School, located in Northamptonshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on November 22 and 23, 2022. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils feel happy and safe. Students express their enjoyment of school life, highlighting the supportive nature of the teachers and the engaging activities offered. The school promotes a strong sense of community, and staff maintain high expectations for all pupils, encouraging hard work and success in lessons. The curriculum is designed to help students develop into well-rounded individuals, with a focus on themes such as democracy, environment, diversity, and aspiration.
Classrooms at Overstone Primary are characterized by a calm and purposeful atmosphere, where pupils are focused and engaged in their learning. The school has a clear understanding of bullying, including cyberbullying, and takes a firm stance against it, ensuring that all pupils feel secure. A variety of extracurricular opportunities are available, allowing students to represent the school in competitions and performances, which they take pride in. For instance, participation in local dancing competitions has fostered a sense of achievement among pupils. Additionally, older students take on responsibilities, such as supporting younger peers during lunchtime.
The school emphasizes the importance of preparing pupils for life in modern Britain through planned trips and experiences. Pupils learn to appreciate and celebrate differences, which is integral to their personal development. Early reading instruction begins in the Reception Year, with leaders effectively using assessments to tailor teaching to the needs of different groups. Reading materials are aligned with pupils' phonics knowledge, ensuring they develop into confident readers. Daily reading sessions expose students to a range of texts, including classics and culturally diverse literature, fostering a love for reading.
Teachers employ 'class reads' to enhance learning across subjects, such as using literature to deepen understanding of historical events. The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, catering for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Leaders have made strides in planning and sequencing the curriculum, ensuring that key concepts are identified for pupils to grasp. In mathematics, there is a focus on developing fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills, with teachers encouraging the use of mathematical language.
In the early years, children explore numbers through play, with staff guiding their learning effectively. Recent developments in the foundation subjects have led to updated curriculum plans that emphasize important knowledge and skills. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that the precise knowledge required in some subjects is clearly defined. Assessment methods in foundation subjects need to be strengthened to ensure that pupils retain the intended knowledge over time.
Behaviour expectations are high, and teachers create an environment conducive to learning. Pupils demonstrate high engagement levels, supported by a traffic light warning system that encourages self-regulation. The personal, social, and health education curriculum addresses relationships and sex education, with pupils showing an age-appropriate understanding of various relationship types. The school has a strong safeguarding culture, with effective arrangements in place to support pupils and ensure their safety.
Overall, Overstone Primary School continues to provide a good education, with a commitment to improvement in specific areas, particularly in the clarity of knowledge expectations and assessment practices in foundation subjects. The leadership team is dedicated to supporting staff well-being and ensuring that all pupils receive the education they deserve.
