Ewell Grove Primary and Nursery School, located in Ewell, Surrey, was inspected on January 25 and 26, 2022. The school received an overall effectiveness rating of good, maintaining a positive trajectory since its last inspection, which was outstanding. The inspection highlighted the school's commitment to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where pupils feel safe and valued. Parents describe the school as central to the local community, and pupils express enjoyment in attending, feeling well cared for both physically and emotionally.
The leadership team is ambitious for all pupils, emphasizing inclusion and equality. They encourage all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, to strive for their best. This inclusive approach has fostered a culture where pupils are eager to learn and flourish academically and socially. The behavior of pupils is commendable, with positive relationships between staff and students. Pupils are polite and respectful, and they trust that any incidents of bullying will be addressed promptly.
The curriculum at Ewell Grove is ambitious and well-structured, with clear expectations for what pupils need to learn from nursery through to Year 6. Teachers are well-informed about the curriculum and provide a broad range of subjects. Pupils achieve well overall, with particularly strong performance in mathematics and art. The attention to detail in pupils' artwork is noteworthy, and teachers regularly assess knowledge to deepen understanding. However, there are areas where achievement could be improved, as some subjects do not provide the same depth of understanding.
Reading is a priority at the school, with a well-organized phonics program in place for Reception pupils. This early focus on phonics helps children become fluent readers quickly. Daily story times with high-quality books foster a love for reading, and pupils are enthusiastic about discussing their ideas. The school also promotes high attendance rates, with leaders actively ensuring that pupils attend regularly. Pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning, cooperating well with one another and remaining focused during lessons.
While behavior incidents may occur in the playground, staff manage these effectively. The school offers a variety of opportunities for personal development, promoting cultural understanding and teaching about diverse communities and religions from an early age. Leaders emphasize the importance of developing positive character traits, and pupils demonstrate resilience and independence in their learning.
The governing body and school leaders share a clear vision for the school, aiming for all pupils to access a varied curriculum. Staff training is prioritized to enhance teachers' subject knowledge, contributing to a positive work environment where staff feel valued and supported. Governors actively engage with the school, regularly checking on its performance and understanding the curriculum's effectiveness.
The safeguarding arrangements at Ewell Grove are robust, with a strong culture of safeguarding established. Leaders have effective systems in place to identify at-risk pupils and ensure they receive necessary support. The school teaches pupils about online safety and healthy relationships as part of its safeguarding curriculum.
To improve further, the school needs to ensure that the work provided by teachers consistently challenges pupils across all subjects, enabling them to develop a deep and detailed understanding of the curriculum. This focus will help maintain the school's good standing and enhance overall pupil achievement.
