The Bellbird Primary School, located in Sawston, Cambridge, has recently undergone an inspection on July 9 and 10, 2024, 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 has made significant strides in raising expectations for student achievement, fostering a culture of independence and hard work among pupils. Students express enjoyment in their studies, particularly in music, and are motivated by opportunities to participate in competitions in English and mathematics.
Lunchtime is a highlight for students, who interact well across different age groups. Older pupils take on leadership roles by running clubs for younger students, promoting a sense of responsibility and community. The school emphasizes respect for diversity, teaching pupils about differences and fostering an environment where individuality is celebrated. The curriculum is designed to instill a sense of pride in being unique while promoting a collective identity among students.
Recent improvements to the curriculum have been noted, with a focus on breaking down content into manageable segments that enhance understanding over time. This approach has been particularly effective in mathematics, where students are developing strong numerical skills. Staff members are adept at presenting information clearly and checking for understanding through thoughtful questioning. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in how staff assess pupil understanding in certain subjects, which can lead to gaps in knowledge not being addressed promptly.
Pupils generally perform well in end-of-key-stage assessments, although writing remains an area where improvement is needed. The school has taken steps to enhance the English curriculum, providing varied writing opportunities that engage students. While pupils enjoy writing and often produce creative work, some struggle to apply their understanding of grammar and punctuation independently. Timely feedback on writing errors is essential to help students improve their skills.
Reading is a strong focus at The Bellbird, with early years pupils quickly learning to blend sounds and read fluently. The school provides appropriate reading materials that align with students' phonetic knowledge, fostering confidence in their reading abilities. Support for pupils facing challenges in reading is effective, contributing to their progress.
The school is committed to meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, with well-trained staff providing tailored support. Adaptations and interventions are in place to help these pupils manage their emotions and access learning effectively.
Behaviour across the school is commendable, with pupils demonstrating kindness and compassion. The school actively supports families to overcome barriers to attendance, resulting in high levels of student engagement. The personal, social, health, and economic education curriculum equips pupils with knowledge about healthy living and relationship building, fostering a caring school ethos.
Governance is strong, with governors providing both support and challenge to school leaders. They ensure that staff workload and well-being are prioritized while facilitating necessary curriculum improvements. The safeguarding arrangements in place are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
To further enhance the quality of education, the school needs to improve the precision of assessments in all subjects to identify knowledge gaps more effectively. Additionally, staff should address writing errors more promptly to prevent misconceptions from persisting. Overall, The Bellbird Primary School is making commendable progress in providing a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils.
