Ratby Primary School, located in Leicester, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on February 13 and 14, 2024. The headteacher, Lisa Jones, leads the school, which is part of The Bradgate Education Partnership. This partnership involves shared responsibilities among various stakeholders, including the chief executive officer, Gareth Nelmes, and a board of trustees chaired by Stephen Cotton.
Pupils at Ratby Primary School express happiness and a sense of safety within the school environment. They appreciate the broad and balanced curriculum, which encourages frequent reading for pleasure. Classrooms are filled with books, fostering a love for reading. Students also enjoy learning outside the classroom through trips to local landmarks, enhancing their educational experience.
Leadership opportunities are available for pupils, who take pride in roles such as reading ambassadors and lunchtime sports ambassadors. These roles allow them to engage with their peers and contribute to school life. The school emphasizes high expectations for behavior and character, instilling values of respect, responsibility, and readiness to learn. Pupils actively participate in creating class charters that promote kindness, honesty, and self-belief, while also exploring themes of equality and diversity through various activities.
Reading is a notable strength of the school, with a strong focus on developing pupils' reading skills from the moment they enter Reception. Staff are well-trained in delivering the reading curriculum, ensuring that phonics teaching is of high quality. Regular assessments help identify pupils who may need additional support, allowing them to catch up and maintain progress. The school promotes a love of reading through a well-resourced library and daily story time, exposing pupils to a variety of authors and text types.
The curriculum is well-organized, ensuring that pupils acquire key knowledge across most subjects. In mathematics, for instance, activities are designed to enhance fluency and reasoning skills. However, some subjects require further development to ensure that all pupils are adequately challenged. Teachers collaborate effectively with additional adults to support pupils' learning, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities. The school is actively addressing gaps in knowledge that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic and is developing assessment tools to better track pupil progress.
Pupils exhibit good behavior in lessons and throughout the school, with staff reinforcing positive conduct through rewards and recognition. Strong relationships between pupils and staff contribute to a supportive learning environment. The school prioritizes attendance and takes effective measures when attendance drops.
Ratby Primary School excels in promoting pupils' personal development through a rich array of activities and events. The personal, social, and health education curriculum is comprehensive, teaching pupils about healthy relationships and the importance of tolerance. This prepares them well for life in modern Britain.
Leadership and governance at the school are effective, with staff feeling valued and supported. The school has a strong focus on staff well-being and workload management. Safeguarding arrangements are robust, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
To improve further, the school should ensure that all subjects provide challenging work that deepens pupils' knowledge. Additionally, refining assessment practices in foundation subjects will help staff better understand pupil progress and inform teaching strategies. Overall, Ratby Primary School continues to provide a high-quality education, fostering a positive and enriching environment for its pupils.
