Button Lane Primary School, located in Northern Moor, Manchester, has recently undergone an inspection on July 12 and 13, 2023, and has been rated as good in overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school is characterized by a warm and welcoming environment where staff greet pupils each morning, fostering a sense of care and safety. Pupils feel supported and know that staff are attentive to their needs, effectively addressing any instances of bullying and maintaining high expectations for behaviour. This creates a calm atmosphere conducive to learning.
The leadership team is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring that they achieve well across most subjects. Pupils are taught the values of fairness, equality, and diversity, and they take pride in leadership roles such as prefects and members of the pupil parliament. The school offers a variety of opportunities that enhance learning and personal development, including class visits to local parks and museums, partnerships with local industries, and projects with universities. Additionally, a range of clubs and sports activities are available to pupils.
The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, beginning in the early years and tailored to meet the needs of all pupils, including disadvantaged students and those with SEND. Teachers are well-trained and possess secure subject knowledge, although there have been challenges due to staff instability and the impact of the pandemic on key stage one writing assessments. Leaders have implemented additional support to address learning gaps, ensuring that pupils are prepared for their next educational stages.
In response to low attainment in key stage two mathematics tests, leaders have acted swiftly to improve outcomes. Teachers regularly check pupils' understanding during lessons and address misconceptions effectively. However, in some subjects, leaders have not clearly identified the essential knowledge that pupils need to retain over time, which affects the precision of assessments regarding long-term retention of learning.
Most subject leaders provide valuable guidance to teachers, although some are still developing their understanding of curriculum implementation and its impact on pupil learning. The phonics curriculum is well-sequenced, enabling pupils to become fluent readers, with early identification of those who may need additional support. Pupils generally exhibit good behaviour, rarely disrupting their peers, and those who struggle receive the necessary help to improve.
The school prioritizes safeguarding, with effective arrangements in place. Leaders ensure that staff are well-trained and knowledgeable about safeguarding practices, fostering positive relationships with pupils and families. The curriculum also teaches pupils about personal safety and responsibility in an age-appropriate manner.
Governors are well-informed about the school's educational quality and consider staff workload and well-being in decision-making. Parents and carers express positive views about the support provided by staff and appreciate the community atmosphere within the school. Overall, Button Lane Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils, with areas identified for further improvement in curriculum assessment and knowledge retention strategies.
