Swarland Primary School, located in Northumberland, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on January 9, 2020. The school is characterized by a supportive and nurturing environment where pupils thrive. The community, including pupils, parents, staff, and governors, describes the school as a family. High expectations set by the staff encourage pupils to take pride in their work and exhibit strong learning behaviors such as resilience, tolerance, and independence. The school’s mission statement, which emphasizes striving to be the best, is reflected in the pupils' actions and respect for diverse viewpoints.
The school effectively supports pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they have access to a full and challenging curriculum. Parents appreciate the progress their children make, particularly in English and mathematics. The behavior of pupils is commendable; they are polite, courteous, and demonstrate positive attitudes in lessons. The school environment is safe, with pupils reporting that bullying is rare and that staff address any issues promptly.
Leadership at Swarland Primary School is strong and effective. The headteacher has played a crucial role in developing leadership at all levels, fostering a cohesive staff team. Leaders have a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, particularly for pupils in Years 5 and 6, following the school’s expansion. The first cohort to complete Year 6 in 2019 achieved strong results, reflecting the effectiveness of the curriculum.
Curriculum plans are designed to build on pupils' knowledge, skills, and vocabulary, with clear expectations for what pupils should learn and when. Most subjects are well-implemented, allowing pupils to make connections between different topics. However, there are some subjects, such as modern foreign languages, computing, and geography, where implementation is not as strong, leading to gaps in pupils' knowledge.
The school places a high priority on early reading and phonics, ensuring that children develop strong reading skills from the outset. Consistent phonics instruction and regular training for staff contribute to above-average outcomes in phonics by the end of Year 1. All pupils, including those with SEND, read confidently using books that align with their learning.
In mathematics, clear plans are in place for each year group, and pupils enjoy the subject, often applying their skills to real-life problems. In history, pupils can connect historical events and articulate their understanding of their significance. The curriculum also includes education about different cultures, faiths, and democracy, enriching pupils' learning experiences.
The school offers a variety of after-school clubs, promoting engagement among pupils of all abilities. Governors actively develop their skills and regularly assess the school’s performance, ensuring that staff workload is considered.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with a strong culture of safety promoted throughout the school. Staff are well-trained to recognize and respond to safeguarding concerns, and pupils feel safe and learn how to protect themselves.
To improve further, the school needs to enhance the implementation of the curriculum in certain subjects to ensure that all pupils retain knowledge effectively. Leaders are encouraged to embed curriculum developments across all subjects to maximize learning outcomes for every pupil. Overall, Swarland Primary School continues to provide a good education, fostering both academic and personal growth in its pupils.
