Longden C of E Primary School, located in Shrewsbury, underwent an inspection on 17 and 18 October 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas such as the quality of education and early years provision also marked as requiring improvement. However, the school demonstrated good performance in behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
Pupils at Longden C of E Primary School are described as polite, happy, and safe, enjoying their learning experiences and taking pride in their achievements. They engage in various activities, including learning to play musical instruments and performing in community concerts. The relationships within the school are strong, with older pupils taking on roles as role models and engaging positively with younger students during playtimes. Staff members are well-trained in supporting pupils' mental health, ensuring that students feel secure and have someone to talk to when needed. Behaviour is generally good, with reports of bullying and disruptive behaviour being rare.
The school has made strides in raising expectations for pupil achievement, implementing a curriculum that aligns with national standards. While pupils perform well in English and mathematics, there are concerns regarding the curriculum's effectiveness in other subjects. The current curriculum does not clearly outline the essential knowledge pupils need to acquire, leading to gaps in learning. New leaders have made significant improvements to the curriculum, establishing formal structures for all subjects and retraining staff in phonics to enhance the teaching of reading.
In the early years, the nursery environment is active and engaging, with children quickly adapting to school life. However, the early years curriculum lacks clarity regarding what children should learn and when, resulting in missed opportunities for skill development. Although pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive appropriate support, the overall early years curriculum requires further refinement to ensure systematic knowledge and skill building.
Attendance has improved significantly under new leadership, with efforts made to engage parents and emphasize the importance of regular school attendance. The school's values of sharing, caring, and fairness are evident throughout its operations, and pupils are encouraged to understand various faiths and beliefs. Opportunities for pupils to take on responsibilities, such as being school councillors, are valued.
Governance at the school is effective, with governors maintaining a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement. Staff members express pride in their work environment and appreciate the management of workload. Parents have responded positively to the school's communication and the changes being implemented.
The safeguarding arrangements at Longden C of E Primary School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, to enhance the quality of education, the school must focus on improving the coherence and sequencing of the curriculum in subjects beyond English and mathematics. Additionally, the use of assessment in these subjects needs to be developed further to identify gaps in pupils' knowledge and inform future teaching strategies. The early years curriculum also requires a more structured approach to ensure children are adequately prepared for their subsequent learning experiences. Overall, while the school has made commendable progress, continued efforts are necessary to achieve a consistently high standard of education across all areas.
