The Clara Grant Primary School, located in Bow, London, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on March 2 and 3, 2022. Pupils express pride in attending the school, describing it as a second home where they feel welcomed and supported. The school fosters a positive learning environment, with high expectations set by the leadership for both effort and behavior. Pupils appreciate the clarity of these expectations and feel confident that staff will address any issues, including bullying, effectively.
The curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, can achieve well. Recent developments have been made to support these pupils, reflecting an increase in their numbers and the diversity of their needs. Pupils are encouraged to take an active role in improving the school, such as initiatives to promote recycling. The school also emphasizes cultural awareness, providing opportunities for pupils to learn about and celebrate their own and others' cultures.
The school has recently transitioned to a new academy trust, which has positively impacted the curriculum's design and implementation. Early years pupils are introduced to reading from the start and enjoy the process. However, the organization of writing instruction is less structured, indicating an area for improvement. Teachers effectively utilize the reading curriculum, helping pupils who fell behind during the COVID-19 pandemic to catch up. The reading materials are well-matched to pupils' abilities, allowing for progression to more challenging content as they are ready.
Mathematics instruction is well-planned and delivered confidently, with staff receiving regular training. Teachers are adept at assessing pupils' understanding without cumbersome methods, and they adapt lessons for pupils with special educational needs, ensuring all pupils enjoy mathematics and achieve success. Leaders are prioritizing the curriculum for other subjects, such as history and geography, to clarify learning objectives. While pupils are beginning to retain and apply knowledge from these subjects, there is still room for improvement in maintaining focus on essential content.
Pupils remain engaged during lessons, finding the work interesting, and early years children are not easily distracted. Staff use positive reinforcement to encourage perseverance in challenging tasks. The school provides ample opportunities for wider development, including financial literacy lessons, and pupils take pride in their roles as school councillors.
The school takes staff well-being seriously, with leaders ensuring that staff feel valued and involved in improvement plans. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff trained to report concerns and maintain strong relationships with parents and carers, which helps identify issues early. Leaders ensure that staff are updated on risks, including those related to online communications.
To further improve, the school needs to ensure consistency in implementing the agreed curriculum across all subjects, as some pupils are not learning content as promptly as they could. Additionally, early years pupils require a more systematic approach to writing instruction to build their confidence. Overall, the Clara Grant Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils.
