Fairlands Primary School, located in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on September 14 and 15, 2021. The school provides a positive environment where pupils enjoy learning and forming friendships. The curriculum is broad and engaging, allowing students to explore various subjects and develop new interests. The school offers numerous opportunities for experiential learning through special days, educational visits, and residential trips, ensuring that pupils are well-prepared for their future educational endeavors.
Pupil behavior is commendable, with students demonstrating respect and politeness in both classroom settings and throughout the school. The atmosphere is calm and orderly, fostering effective learning. Positive relationships between pupils and staff contribute to a supportive environment where students feel safe and know whom to approach with any concerns. Incidents of bullying are infrequent and addressed promptly, reinforcing the school's commitment to a safe learning environment.
Parents express high levels of satisfaction with the school, appreciating its caring culture and the support provided to their children. They feel confident that any issues raised will be handled professionally and swiftly by the staff. The leadership team has thoughtfully designed the curriculum, ensuring that it is ambitious and clearly outlines the learning objectives for each subject. Teachers effectively build on prior knowledge, allowing pupils to revisit and practice essential concepts before progressing to new material. This approach helps students make connections in their learning, particularly evident in subjects like mathematics and history.
Students with special educational needs and disabilities receive appropriate support, enabling them to learn alongside their peers. The special educational needs coordinator collaborates closely with staff, parents, and students to ensure that individual needs are met early on. The school has a strong phonics and early reading program, with staff well-trained to support pupils from the start of their education. Children in the early years are taught to listen and replicate sounds accurately, laying a solid foundation for reading.
However, there are areas for improvement. Some older pupils who struggle with reading do not receive sufficient practice in applying their phonics knowledge during reading activities, which can hinder their fluency and confidence. The school leadership should provide clearer guidance and training to address this issue. Additionally, while younger pupils learn proper letter formation, the curriculum does not adequately support the development of handwriting fluency as students progress, limiting their ability to express ideas clearly in writing.
The school offers a variety of additional experiences and educational visits that enhance pupils' learning and development. During the pandemic, leaders adapted to ensure that students continued to receive enriching experiences both at school and at home. The governing body is knowledgeable and actively ensures that the school's leadership is making positive changes to enhance educational quality.
The safeguarding measures in place are effective, with a strong culture of vigilance among staff regarding potential abuse. Clear systems for reporting concerns are established, and staff receive regular training. The school collaborates with external agencies to provide necessary support for pupils and families. All required pre-employment checks for staff are conducted thoroughly.
In summary, Fairlands Primary School continues to be a good school, with a strong curriculum, supportive environment, and effective safeguarding practices. However, addressing the identified areas for improvement will further enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
