Dagnall VA Church of England School is a primary school located in Buckinghamshire, known for its inclusive and supportive environment. The recent inspection conducted on January 24 and 25, 2024, rated the school as good across all areas, including overall effectiveness, quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school has undergone significant changes, with leaders fostering a sense of community and collaboration among staff and pupils to drive improvement.
Pupils at Dagnall School demonstrate warmth and kindness, embodying the school motto of growth and resilience. They are encouraged to recognize their emotions and understand their effects on others, which helps them resolve conflicts independently. A notable aspect of the school is the enthusiasm for reading among students, who engage with a diverse range of literature and express their thoughts on the stories they encounter. This love for reading is nurtured from the early years, where children are actively engaged in learning and storytelling.
The school has high expectations for its pupils, who exhibit good behavior and a strong desire to learn. In the early years, children are observed playing cooperatively and sharing resources, contributing to a positive learning atmosphere. Recognition in the school's 'golden' book for achievements fosters motivation and encourages positive behavior.
Dagnall School has made commendable strides in enhancing its curriculum, with clear ambitions for all pupils. The planning across subjects identifies essential knowledge for students to acquire and retain. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that pupils can recall previously taught knowledge in some subjects. Teachers effectively assess understanding during lessons, addressing mistakes and misconceptions. Yet, in certain subjects, prior knowledge checks are not consistently implemented, which can hinder some pupils' learning.
The school prioritizes the development of reading skills, celebrating literature and its authors. This focus begins in the Nursery Year and continues throughout the school, with pupils engaging with increasingly complex texts. The phonics program is designed to support fluency in reading, and daily practice helps pupils master the necessary sounds. The early years are characterized by high engagement, with staff using effective questioning to deepen children's understanding and communication skills.
Pupils exhibit good behavior, with staff consistently applying school routines and procedures. The school has established robust systems for pupils to reflect on their behavior and understand its impact on others. This contributes to a calm and purposeful atmosphere conducive to learning.
Personal development is a key focus, with activities designed to enhance pupils' global awareness and understanding of equality and diversity. Through various initiatives, pupils learn about their local community and develop leadership skills, which they apply in resolving conflicts among peers.
Staff members express positivity about the school's direction and the support they receive, which enables them to fulfill their roles effectively. A culture of collaboration and mutual assistance is evident, positively impacting pupils. The governing body plays an active role in supporting and challenging the school to foster further improvement.
The safeguarding arrangements at Dagnall School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. The school is committed to continuous improvement, with a focus on addressing identified areas for development, particularly in enhancing assessment practices to ensure all pupils have the foundational knowledge necessary for future learning success.
