Dunston Primary and Nursery Academy, located in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was inspected on June 22 and 23, 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with the quality of education also falling into the same category. However, the school demonstrated good performance in behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The early years provision was noted as requiring improvement as well. This was the first inspection under section five of the Education Act 2005 since the school opened in January 2018.
Pupils expressed a strong fondness for their school, describing it as a happy and caring environment where they feel safe and welcomed. They reported that while bullying does occur, it is infrequent and is addressed fairly by staff. The school has implemented a colored card behavior system designed by the Pupil Parliament, which students believe works effectively. Additionally, pupils enjoy the ‘Proud Pounds’ reward system and participate in various clubs, enhancing their school experience.
Staff at Dunston Primary are dedicated to the well-being and education of all pupils. A new reading program has been introduced to support students, particularly those needing to catch up. School leaders are actively working to enhance the quality of education across other subjects, as current practices do not sufficiently support pupils in learning and retaining knowledge.
The senior leadership team is aware of the need for improvement in educational quality and is collaborating with teachers to address existing weaknesses. They have successfully introduced a systematic approach to teaching reading, ensuring that lesson plans are clear and sequential, which has led to effective phonics instruction. Children in the early years are learning to read quickly, and many Year 1 pupils can write independently. However, challenges remain in subjects such as writing, geography, and design and technology, where clarity in teaching objectives and sequencing is lacking.
Leaders are committed to replicating the successful phonics strategy across the curriculum. They are providing staff with training to enhance their skills while being mindful of their workload. The school is recognized for its inclusive environment, particularly in supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The enhanced resource unit is noted for its excellent provision, allowing these pupils to thrive alongside their peers.
In the early years, children settle in quickly, with staff effectively supporting their communication skills. Although some parents have raised concerns about behavior management, pupils report that teachers are fair and help maintain a positive learning environment. Leaders are focused on reducing persistent absence and discourage term-time holidays to ensure that pupils do not miss out on their education.
Pupils’ personal development is supported through a new scheme that teaches them about healthy relationships, safety, respect, and the rule of law. The school offers a variety of extracurricular opportunities that pupils greatly enjoy. Safeguarding measures are effective, with staff receiving regular training and being well-informed about their responsibilities to report concerns. The school maintains good records and collaborates with external agencies to support at-risk pupils.
To improve, the school needs to finalize the identification of learning objectives across various subjects and ensure that these are taught in a logical order. This will help teachers understand what to teach next and how to assess pupils' knowledge effectively. By developing a detailed curriculum and assessment system, the school can address gaps in pupils’ knowledge and enhance overall educational outcomes.
