North Lancing Primary School is recognized for its warm and welcoming environment where pupils feel safe and happy. The school is committed to providing high-quality education, with nurturing staff who set high expectations for learning. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, receive excellent support, particularly in the dedicated nurture rooms where they benefit from targeted interventions. The curriculum is broad and enriched with various experiences, including educational visits, which engage pupils and foster a keen desire to learn.
Behaviour across the school is commendable, with pupils adhering to the established rules of being ready, respectful, and safe. The school effectively addresses any rare incidents of bullying, ensuring a positive atmosphere. Pupils take pride in their achievements, particularly valuing the recognition they receive through initiatives like the hot chocolate superstars program, which rewards those who exceed expectations. Leadership opportunities are abundant, allowing pupils to develop maturity and responsibility through various monitor roles and house captain positions.
The school leadership is dedicated to continuous improvement, with recent updates to attendance and behaviour policies yielding positive results. The curriculum has been revised to enhance the rigor of learning, and governors play an active role in supporting these initiatives. Reading is a priority, with pupils engaging regularly with a wide range of books. The school has implemented a new phonics scheme to strengthen reading skills, ensuring that the materials used are well-matched to pupils' abilities. While most staff deliver this program effectively, ongoing training is necessary to maintain consistency.
The curriculum is well-structured, allowing pupils to build on prior knowledge. In the early years, children develop a solid understanding of numbers, laying a foundation for more complex mathematics. The early years setting is engaging, promoting high levels of interest and curiosity among children. Staff are attentive to the needs of pupils with SEND, focusing on developing strong speech and language skills through expert interactions.
Teachers across all year groups demonstrate strong subject knowledge, introducing new concepts with clear explanations. Opportunities for recalling previous learning help pupils to consolidate their understanding. However, there are instances where teachers do not check pupils' understanding thoroughly, which can slow progress in more complex learning. The school is actively working to improve assessment processes to ensure consistent learning across all subjects.
Attendance is a focus for the school, with support provided to pupils with lower attendance rates. This has resulted in significant improvements over time. Pupils are polite and courteous, demonstrating attentiveness in class and a commitment to doing their best. The school fosters a friendly culture, reflected in pupils' conduct during break times.
Personal and social development is thoughtfully integrated into the school’s ethos. The school emphasizes the value of individuality and encourages discussions that promote empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives. Spiritual development is nurtured through exploration of personal values and beliefs, while understanding of different cultures is enhanced through the curriculum and school events. The extra-curricular program offers a variety of clubs that cater to sporting, academic, and creative interests.
Safeguarding measures are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. While the school excels in many areas, there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in enhancing staff expertise in phonics instruction and ensuring that assessment processes are fully embedded to support all pupils in their learning journey.