Fitzwilliam Primary School is recognized as a good school, situated in the heart of its community with a mission of working and growing together. The school promotes British values, fostering responsible and fair members of society. Leaders at the school are ambitious regarding pupil achievement, aiming for every student to reach their full potential. High expectations for behavior are set by all staff, and pupils respond positively, demonstrating politeness and friendliness. Students express that they feel safe and happy, with bullying not being a significant concern. They are aware that trusted adults are available to support them with any worries.
Pupils take pride in attending Fitzwilliam Primary School and enjoy taking on additional responsibilities, such as serving as school council representatives or subject ambassadors. They appreciate that their opinions are valued by school leaders in decision-making processes. The school enhances learning through various trips and visitors, creating memorable experiences that help pupils gain knowledge and skills. After-school clubs offer opportunities for students to explore their interests, including choir, art, football, and debating.
The school has recently redesigned its curriculum, which has been implemented since September 2019. The curriculum outlines what pupils will learn in each subject and how they will build on their learning over the years. However, some pupils exhibit gaps in their knowledge and skills from previous years. Despite this, pupils, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, achieve well in reading, writing, and mathematics. They demonstrate a strong work ethic and take pride in their accomplishments, showing resilience in the face of challenging tasks.
While the school excels in mathematics, particularly in arithmetic, work in other subjects, such as geography, is not as robust. Leaders have introduced various strategies to help pupils retain their learning, including class scrapbooks and knowledge quizzes. However, some pupils struggle to recall information, even with prompts from previous work. The early years staff effectively support children who start school with below-average knowledge and skills, helping them settle quickly and encouraging independence.
Reading is prioritized as a key to unlocking learning across the curriculum. Staff are well-trained in teaching reading, and most pupils quickly learn letter names and sounds, enabling them to read and write words. Extra support is provided for pupils who begin to fall behind. However, some reading materials are too challenging, hindering comprehension. Efforts to enhance vocabulary are beneficial, but some pupils lack the background knowledge necessary to understand complex texts.
Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive general support, but some do not have access to the resources needed for independent work alongside their peers. The school promotes personal development effectively, with pupils showing interest in different cultures and religions. They engage in discussions about various perspectives, enhancing their understanding of their community.
Leaders have received effective support from the trust to improve educational quality, successfully enhancing staff well-being and reducing workload without compromising lesson quality. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff well-trained to identify and report concerns. Parents generally feel their children are safe and well cared for at school.
To improve, the school needs to ensure that the new curriculum is fully embedded to eliminate gaps in knowledge. Additionally, some pupils with special educational needs require better resources to foster independence. The reading materials for some pupils should be refined to better match their phonics knowledge, ensuring they are neither too challenging nor frustrating. Overall, Fitzwilliam Primary School continues to provide a supportive and enriching environment for its pupils.
