Pallister Park Primary School, located in Middlesbrough, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on July 16 and 17, 2024. Under the leadership of headteacher Heather Adams, the school is part of the Our Children 1st Multi-Academy Trust, which provides additional oversight and support. The school environment is described as calm and purposeful, catering for children from the age of two. The ethos of the school emphasizes hard work and play, with clear expectations for behavior established from the Nursery level. Pupils are well aware of the school rules, which contribute to exemplary conduct throughout the school.
The school maintains high expectations for its students, reflected in secure end-of-key-stage outcomes. A unique feature of the school day is the tranquil start with a 'book and bagel' session, allowing students to enjoy a healthy breakfast while engaging with reading. Pupils demonstrate positive behaviors for learning and actively participate in recognizing their peers for acts of kindness. The school prioritizes mental health and well-being, providing support through skilled staff and 'soft starts' to the day, which help students regulate their emotions.
Pallister Park Primary School offers various extracurricular activities, including holiday clubs that provide fun and focused learning experiences during breaks. Leadership opportunities are available through the Junior Leadership Team, which has positively impacted the school environment by initiating projects such as planting shrubs and installing exercise equipment on the playground.
The school places a strong emphasis on fostering a love of reading, with every pupil receiving a book for their birthday and at Christmas. Reading is integrated into the curriculum, with daily read-aloud sessions that connect to various subjects. The school employs a systematic approach to phonics, ensuring that pupils develop their reading skills effectively. Regular assessments help identify students who may need additional support in phonics.
The school serves a significant number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, focusing on communication and interaction skills from the early years. The curriculum is designed to provide a range of experiences linked to the curriculum, although there is variability in the quality of curriculum sequencing across subjects. While most subjects are well considered, further refinement is needed in some areas to ensure that knowledge and skills are built progressively over time.
Assessment practices in the wider curriculum require improvement, as current methods do not provide a precise overview of pupil achievement. The mathematics curriculum is well-structured, with a strong emphasis on practical resources to support understanding, particularly for pupils with SEND. The school has implemented a whole-school approach to teaching about relationships, addressing important topics such as sexual harassment in a supportive manner.
Despite the school's efforts to improve attendance, persistent absence remains a challenge, impacting some pupils' learning opportunities. Staff collaboration is effective in reducing workload, but subject leaders need more structured time to monitor curriculum effectiveness. The trustees demonstrate a good understanding of the school's progress and hold leaders accountable for continuous improvement.
Overall, while Pallister Park Primary School has many strengths, including a supportive learning environment and a commitment to reading, it must address specific areas for improvement, particularly in assessment practices and attendance strategies, to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
