Outwood Primary Academy Darfield, located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has been rated as good in its recent inspection conducted on April 9 and 10, 2024. The school, which is part of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust, is led by headteacher Gemma Barr and overseen by CEO Lee Wilson and chair of trustees David Earnshaw. The school serves children aged three to eleven and has a total enrollment of 214 pupils.
The inspection highlighted the calm and harmonious environment within the school, where classrooms, corridors, and communal areas such as the breakfast club and lunchtimes reflect a culture of positive behavior. The school implements an intrinsic curriculum that promotes high expectations for all pupils, ensuring they understand the importance of being safe, respectful, and responsible. Pupils are motivated by a reward system known as super swirls, which recognizes their achievements and encourages them to earn badges for their efforts.
The school effectively promotes its learner model, which encompasses five key skills and qualities aimed at fostering character development and citizenship. Pupils are encouraged to recognize and praise their peers for demonstrating these qualities during weekly assemblies. Additionally, the school provides opportunities for discussion and debate through its Time to… sessions, which address various relevant topics and issues.
Despite the positive aspects, the school faces challenges with attendance, which is currently below the national average. Although a new procedure has been introduced to tackle low attendance, its inconsistent application has resulted in continued declines for some pupils. The school recognizes the need to improve attendance rates to ensure all pupils benefit from the educational opportunities provided.
The curriculum at Outwood Primary Academy is well-structured and sequenced, developed in collaboration with the trust to ensure it meets the needs of all pupils. The curriculum begins in the early years and builds progressively, focusing on essential knowledge and skills. Teachers present information clearly and assess pupils' prior knowledge to facilitate incremental learning. The emphasis on early reading and phonics has yielded positive results, with a high percentage of pupils achieving the expected standard in phonics by the end of Year 1.
Mathematics instruction is another strength of the school, with a focus on revisiting key concepts to reinforce learning. Teachers utilize subject-specific vocabulary and employ effective questioning techniques to gauge pupils' understanding and address any gaps in knowledge. The early years curriculum is designed to engage children and develop their core skills in literacy and mathematics, particularly for those with special educational needs.
The school also offers diploma opportunities that positively impact pupils' lives, such as kindness challenges and first-aid training. Staff members report feeling supported by the leadership team and the trust, which has helped stabilize the staffing structure and foster professional development.
Safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, the school must address the issue of some pupils not reading books that align with their phonics knowledge, which limits their ability to apply what they have learned. Additionally, persistent absenteeism among certain pupils needs to be addressed to prevent them from missing essential learning opportunities.
Overall, Outwood Primary Academy Darfield demonstrates a commitment to providing a high-quality education and fostering a positive learning environment, while also recognizing areas for improvement, particularly in attendance and reading practices.
