Edwalton Primary School, located in Nottinghamshire, has been recognized for its overall effectiveness, achieving a rating of good in various areas during its inspection in November 2019. The school provides a high-quality education, fostering a love of learning among its pupils through extensive outdoor facilities, including a farm and woodland areas. Students engage in caring for farm animals and maintaining garden plots, which enhances their learning experience. The school promotes a positive environment where pupils feel proud of their achievements, particularly in their involvement with recently acquired alpacas.
Pupils exhibit respectful behavior and understand the concept of bullying, noting that staff effectively address any issues that arise. The school leaders have cultivated an inclusive atmosphere, resulting in high attendance rates and strong relationships between staff and students. The school’s values, which emphasize sustainability, creativity, responsibility, confidence, fun, perseverance, pride, and aspiration, contribute to the outstanding personal development of the pupils.
The curriculum is designed to ensure that pupils learn in a logical sequence, catering for the needs of all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Teachers employ various methods to help pupils retain knowledge, and students report that they appreciate the connections made between different subjects. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that the work assigned in subjects like geography is sufficiently challenging to extend pupils' understanding.
Reading is a strong focus at Edwalton Primary School, with staff actively engaging pupils through shared reading experiences and phonics instruction. Regular assessments help track progress, and support is provided for those who struggle with reading, enabling them to become confident readers as they advance through the school.
The school excels in personal development, offering a range of activities that promote social and emotional skills. Pupils participate in projects that enhance their understanding of diverse cultures and develop their talents. Parents express satisfaction with the personal development their children receive, highlighting the nurturing environment that encourages academic and social growth.
In the early years, children are well cared for in an inspiring setting, where they learn phonics from the start and engage in various curriculum areas. However, there is a need for improved assessment in mathematics to ensure that all children make the expected progress.
Governors play an active role in monitoring the school’s performance and are aware of its strengths and areas for improvement. Nonetheless, there is a need for better compliance regarding the information available on the school’s website for parents.
The safeguarding measures in place are effective, with a strong culture of vigilance among staff. Training ensures that all personnel are equipped to recognize and address potential safeguarding concerns. Pupils are educated about the risks they may encounter, including those associated with social media and substance abuse.
To enhance the educational experience further, the school must ensure that the curriculum expectations are consistently applied across all subjects, providing equally demanding work for all pupils. Additionally, the early years leader should strengthen their understanding of children's achievements in mathematics to better plan for their learning needs. Overall, Edwalton Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a supportive and enriching educational environment for its pupils.