Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery, located in Newbury, Berkshire, has undergone an inspection that highlights its overall effectiveness as good. The inspection took place on May 11 and 12, 2022, and the school has shown significant improvements since its previous inspection, which rated it as requiring improvement. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management have all been rated as good, while early years provision requires improvement.
Pupils at Fir Tree Primary School are reported to be very happy and engaged in their learning. Teachers are dedicated to creating engaging lessons, ensuring that all pupils feel included and valued, particularly those in the specially resourced provision for pupils with autism spectrum disorder. The school has established a positive behavior culture, where pupils understand the expectations and work collaboratively with staff to maintain a conducive learning environment. Classrooms are described as calm and purposeful, and pupils exhibit pride in their work.
Parents have expressed appreciation for the staff's passion and the transformative leadership of the headteacher. Improvements to outdoor spaces have been particularly noted as beneficial for pupils' well-being, especially following the pandemic. The headteacher, with support from the multi-academy trust, has led a comprehensive redevelopment of the curriculum, with mathematics now recognized as a strength. The curriculum is well-sequenced, focusing on essential knowledge and skills, and most pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, are achieving well in mathematics.
However, the school acknowledges that historically, many pupils have not been effectively taught to read, leading to disinterest in reading among some students. To address this, a new phonics program was introduced in January 2022, which is positively impacting pupils' phonics knowledge. Despite this progress, there is a need for more practice in reading for pupils, particularly those who struggle. The school is committed to enhancing reading practices and ensuring that all pupils have access to high-quality texts.
The wider English curriculum has been redeveloped, emphasizing oracy and high-quality texts to support writing development. While there is variability in the quality of education across subjects, leaders are aware of the need for further development in areas such as science and the early years curriculum. Plans are in place to address these gaps and ensure a coherent and sequenced curriculum across all subjects.
The school is well-led, with a clear vision shared by the headteacher, trustees, and local governors. They are committed to providing an enriching education that prepares pupils for future stages of their education. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong culture of safeguarding embedded in the school. Staff receive thorough training and are well-equipped to identify and respond to concerns.
Despite the positive aspects, the school recognizes the need for improvement in early years provision and reading practices. Leaders are focused on developing the early years curriculum to ensure children are well-prepared for their next educational phase. Additionally, attendance remains a concern, with efforts ongoing to support families and improve attendance rates.
Overall, Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and providing a supportive and enriching environment for its pupils. The leadership team is dedicated to addressing the identified areas for development while building on the strengths of the school.
