Southfield Primary School, located in Banbury Road, Brackley, Northamptonshire NN13 6AU, underwent an inspection on 11 and 12 January 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as Requires Improvement, an improvement from the previous grade of Inadequate.
The recent inspection highlighted that Southfield Primary School has made significant changes since its last assessment, although there are still critical areas that require improvement. Pupils describe the school environment as kind and creative, where they enjoy learning and value time spent with friends. Older students take pride in helping younger peers during lunchtime, fostering a sense of community. Pupils feel safe at the school and are confident that staff will address any concerns, including bullying.
The strengths of the school include good pupil behaviour and attitudes, with students adhering to the school's rules of being 'ready, respectful, and safe.' The leadership team has shown determination to enhance the quality of education by introducing new teaching methods, particularly in phonics. Parents hold the school in high regard and are willing to recommend it to others.
Areas for improvement at Southfield Primary School include the lack of consistency in the curriculum across subjects, leading to gaps in pupils' learning. The new phonics approach is still in the early stages of implementation, impacting reading proficiency. There is variability in how mathematics is taught, hindering overall student progress. The programme for personal development lacks precision, and there is no cohesive assessment strategy across subjects.
In terms of safeguarding, the school has effective measures in place, with staff trained to recognize signs of abuse and educate pupils on safety, including online risks and stranger danger.
In conclusion, while Southfield Primary School has made commendable progress, it still requires improvement in key areas. The leadership team is encouraged to refine the curriculum, enhance phonics and reading strategies, and develop a clear assessment framework to ensure all pupils can achieve their full potential. With continued focus and dedication, the school can build on its strengths and address areas needing attention.
Next steps for the school include implementing a consistent approach to teaching phonics and reading, refining curriculum plans, establishing a school-wide assessment strategy, and enhancing the personal development programme.
For further information about Southfield Primary School, visit www.southfieldprimaryschool.org.uk.
