Bishop Rawle Church of England Primary School is a welcoming and nurturing environment where pupils express happiness and a sense of safety. The strong relationships between staff and students foster a positive atmosphere, characterized by mutual respect and a sense of community. Leaders maintain high expectations for all pupils, who demonstrate politeness and a positive attitude towards learning. The school effectively addresses bullying, which is reported as rare, and pupils feel confident that any issues would be promptly managed by adults.
The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum that prepares pupils well for their future educational journeys. Early years education is particularly strong, with daily phonics sessions that help children quickly learn their sounds. The emphasis on reading is evident, with high-quality texts selected for lessons and a structured approach to reading across the school. Most pupils achieve fluency in reading by the end of key stage one, although some older pupils struggle with books that do not align with their phonics knowledge, hindering their progress.
Teachers possess a solid understanding of their subjects and provide clear explanations, ensuring pupils grasp necessary concepts before engaging in tasks. They also allow time for pupils to revisit learning, which aids retention and understanding. Leaders have collaborated with staff to develop curriculum leadership teams that focus on skill progression and vocabulary across subjects. This coherent approach is particularly effective in mathematics and reading, where knowledge builds progressively.
In physical education, the curriculum is designed to help pupils master essential skills over time, enabling them to participate successfully in various activities. However, there is a need for leaders to clarify the key knowledge that pupils should retain in some foundation subjects, as this can affect the continuity of learning. Leaders are aware of this and have plans to enhance the curriculum further.
Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is commendable, with teachers making appropriate adaptations to ensure full participation in lessons. The school promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development through various lessons, helping them understand healthy relationships and respect for different cultures and faiths. The Christian values of trust, mindfulness, peace, and friendship are actively promoted by both staff and pupils.
Staff collaboration is strong, with a supportive environment that prioritizes well-being and work-life balance. The school benefits from the backing of The Moorlands Primary Federation, which provides additional support and resources. Safeguarding measures are effective, with a robust culture in place to protect pupils. Staff receive regular training to identify and address potential issues, and thorough records are maintained to ensure swift communication of concerns.
While the school demonstrates many strengths, there are areas for improvement. Some older pupils are not practicing reading with books that match their phonics abilities, which can hinder their development as readers. Leaders should ensure that reading materials are appropriately aligned with pupils' skills. Additionally, in certain foundation subjects, the specific knowledge that pupils need to learn has not been clearly defined, which can impede the building of prior knowledge. Addressing these areas will further enhance the educational experience at Bishop Rawle Church of England Primary School.
