The Meadows Primary School, located in Oswestry, Shropshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on November 15 and 16, 2022. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils are enthusiastic about attending. The school's ethos, encapsulated in the tagline Play Together, Learn Together, Achieve Together, reflects a strong sense of community and teamwork among students. Pupils exhibit excellent behavior, with rare instances of bullying, and they demonstrate kindness and care for one another. They feel supported by staff, who are readily available to assist with any issues that arise.
Leadership at The Meadows Primary School is characterized by high aspirations for all students. The curriculum has been recently revised to enhance the retention of knowledge over time, with a particular emphasis on instilling a love of reading from an early age. The school provides exceptional support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance to thrive academically and socially.
Students take pride in their school and engage in activities that promote their physical and emotional well-being, as well as community involvement. The school offers a variety of clubs, trips, and guest speakers that contribute significantly to the personal development of pupils. Parents express strong satisfaction with the school, noting that staff go above and beyond to support their children.
The curriculum is designed to be broad and ambitious, with leaders collaborating with subject leaders to identify essential knowledge, skills, and vocabulary for pupils. In subjects like mathematics, teachers have received high-quality training, enabling them to effectively address misconceptions and adapt lessons as needed. This approach has led to rapid improvements in student outcomes. However, in some subjects, new subject leaders have not yet fully monitored pupil learning, and the introduction of new assessment processes has not been consistently applied by all teachers. This inconsistency can hinder the progression of pupils' learning.
The school prioritizes early reading, with staff well-trained to help pupils quickly learn letter sounds. The reading materials align with the sounds being taught, allowing most pupils to become fluent readers early on. Those requiring additional support receive targeted assistance from skilled staff, enabling them to catch up effectively. Pupils enjoy reading and participate in creative storytelling activities.
In the early years, pupils thrive in a collaborative learning environment, sharing resources and engaging in problem-solving activities. Staff work cohesively and have a deep understanding of their pupils' needs. The support for pupils with special educational needs is commendable, with a dedicated coordinator ensuring inclusivity in all lessons.
Pupils are friendly, courteous, and take pride in their work and school. They collaborate well and exhibit no low-level disruption during lessons. Attendance is high, and clear routines are established to assist families needing help with school attendance.
The enrichment curriculum offers pupils opportunities to develop essential life skills, including money management and coping strategies. A variety of clubs, including sports and arts, are available, and many pupils learn musical instruments through free lessons provided by a local charity.
Staff express pride in their work at the school and feel their voices are heard by leadership, who actively seek input on workload improvements. Governors are well-informed about the school and play an active role in its ongoing development. Parents overwhelmingly report that their children are happy, safe, and making good progress at The Meadows Primary School. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a dedicated team ensuring pupil safety and well-being. Overall, The Meadows Primary School continues to provide a supportive and enriching educational experience for its pupils.
