Arnold Mill Primary and Nursery School, located in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, was inspected from March 4 to March 5, 2020. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good, reflecting a positive environment for learning and development. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as good. This inspection marked a change from the previous outstanding judgment received in October 2014, indicating a shift in the evaluation framework and changes within the school since the last inspection.
The school has not undergone an inspection for over five years, which is longer than the typical maximum interval due to legislative changes in 2011 that exempted outstanding schools from routine inspections. The current judgment of good reflects the school’s performance under the new inspection framework and acknowledges any developments that have occurred since the last evaluation.
Pupils at Arnold Mill Primary School experience a vibrant school life characterized by strong relationships between staff and students. The school fosters creativity and active participation, with staff making learning enjoyable. For instance, on World Book Day, staff engage with students by dressing up and sharing stories, enhancing the learning experience. Pupils feel heard and supported, with reports of rare incidents of bullying, which are effectively addressed when they occur. The behavior system is consistently applied, contributing to a positive atmosphere where pupils are encouraged to take pride in their work and develop resilience.
The school leadership is committed to ensuring that all pupils are prepared for the next stages of their education. While most pupils transition well to secondary education, some younger students who require additional support are not progressing as quickly as needed. Leaders are ambitious for early years education, providing engaging topics that excite children and ensuring a strong start in phonics and mathematics. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that all activities effectively support children’s learning across subjects.
The teaching of early reading is systematic and rigorous, with staff receiving regular training to enhance their teaching practices. Leaders have implemented measures to help pupils catch up in phonics, and older students are equipped with essential background knowledge to tackle more complex texts. However, the writing curriculum lacks consistent implementation, with some teachers not effectively identifying gaps in knowledge for younger pupils, hindering their progress.
In mathematics, teachers are well-informed about what pupils need to learn next, and they plan lessons that promote fluency and problem-solving skills. The curriculum is broad, with pupils achieving well in various subjects, including art. However, leaders have identified that in some subjects, the knowledge pupils gain is not sequenced coherently, and improvements are underway to address this.
Leaders aim to cultivate active and responsible citizens who care for their community. Pupils enjoy opportunities to take on leadership roles, such as house captains, and participate in community engagement activities. The school ensures inclusivity, allowing disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs to participate in clubs and the wider curriculum. Outdoor learning experiences help pupils develop resilience and teamwork skills.
The safeguarding arrangements at Arnold Mill Primary School are effective. Leaders ensure that pupils are educated about local dangers and online safety. Staff are trained to recognize and respond to concerns regarding child well-being, and there are systems in place for recording and addressing any issues promptly.
To improve further, leaders need to enhance the writing curriculum in key stage one, ensuring it is coherently sequenced and effectively addresses the needs of all pupils. Additionally, the planning and sequencing of the curriculum in some subjects require further development to ensure that key knowledge is clearly identified and taught. Leaders are actively working on these improvements, and while progress is being made, it is still in the early stages for some subjects. Overall, Arnold Mill Primary and Nursery School provides a supportive and engaging environment for its pupils, with a clear commitment to continuous improvement in educational quality.
