Mowbray Primary School, located in Choppington, Northumberland, has been rated as good overall in its recent inspection. The school is known for its nurturing and inclusive environment, where both pupils and parents express high levels of satisfaction. The staff are dedicated to supporting students in achieving their best, fostering enthusiasm for learning through a broad curriculum that includes various subjects and extracurricular activities. The curriculum is designed to stimulate curiosity, develop aspirations, and promote essential life skills, with a strong emphasis on resilience, self-esteem, and self-awareness.
The school environment is calm and orderly, with pupils demonstrating polite behavior and cooperative play. They feel safe and supported, with a low incidence of bullying reported. The school also offers unique learning experiences, such as outdoor education through forest school, which encourages exploration and teamwork. Visitors and well-planned trips further enhance pupils' understanding of the world around them.
Leaders at Mowbray Primary have carefully sequenced the curriculum, which is rich and enhanced by outdoor learning opportunities. Staff actively monitor pupils' learning to identify and address misconceptions. There are notable strengths in reading and phonics instruction, with improved outcomes over time. Reading is prioritized across the school, supported by a well-resourced library that is popular among students. However, some staff absences have led to inconsistencies in the implementation of the planned curriculum in certain year groups, an issue that leaders are addressing.
In mathematics, while attainment has improved over the past three years, progress has not been as strong as expected. Leaders have introduced additional specialist teaching to fill gaps in learning and are ensuring that key mathematical concepts are revisited regularly. Pupils are becoming more confident in their mathematical abilities and can articulate their understanding effectively.
The school provides strong support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Leaders quickly identify their needs and implement appropriate support plans. Teaching assistants are well-trained and collaborate effectively with teachers to create tailored learning activities, resulting in good progress for these pupils.
Subject leaders work collaboratively to plan the curriculum, and staff training is generally well-organized to ensure appropriate subject knowledge. However, recent staff absences have limited opportunities for subject leaders to monitor teaching, leading to some inconsistencies in curriculum delivery.
The personal development curriculum is robust, with a strong focus on character development. Relationships between staff and pupils are exceptionally positive, forming the foundation of school life. Pupils enjoy learning outside the classroom, and teachers effectively link different subjects to enhance learning experiences.
Governors play an active role in holding leaders accountable and have supported the development of the school's vision and ethos. Children entering the nursery typically have knowledge and skills below the national average. The curriculum is designed to enhance vocabulary and phonics skills, but there is a need for more challenging activities to ensure all children, particularly boys and disadvantaged pupils, are prepared for Year 1.
The safeguarding arrangements at Mowbray Primary are effective, with proactive collaboration with other agencies. Staff receive regular training to recognize and respond to safeguarding concerns, and pupils are educated about online safety and how to report worries.
To improve, the school needs to ensure that subject leaders have opportunities to monitor their subjects effectively and that early years staff maintain high expectations for all children, providing appropriate learning opportunities to ensure readiness for Year 1.
