Earith Primary School, located in Huntingdon, received a positive inspection report, highlighting its overall effectiveness as good. The school fosters a supportive environment where pupils feel part of a friendly community. They embody the school's core values of being ready, resilient, resourceful, reflective, and responsible. Pupils take pride in their work and understand that mistakes are part of the learning process. Most students are enthusiastic readers, enjoying the books selected by their teachers, although some older pupils express a lack of inspiration from their independent reading materials.
The school is recognized for its caring and safe atmosphere, where pupils value diversity and treat each other with respect. They feel confident that staff effectively address any issues that arise, promoting a culture of reflection and improvement in behavior. The school offers a variety of opportunities, including swimming lessons in their own pool, which pupils appreciate for its contribution to their safety and fitness.
The curriculum is broad and generally well-structured, with leaders providing clear guidance to teachers on how to build on pupils' prior knowledge. For instance, the progression from using atlases in key stage one to topographical maps in key stage two is well planned. However, some subjects lack detailed curriculum plans, which can hinder teachers' ability to deliver clear lessons and ensure pupils build on their knowledge effectively.
Reading is a priority for the school, and a new phonics program has been introduced to enhance literacy instruction. Most pupils learn to read accurately, benefiting from new resources that support their fluency. However, a small number of pupils in key stage two have not developed strong reading skills, partly due to insufficient training for some staff in the new phonics program. This has resulted in a few pupils continuing to struggle with reading.
In the early years, leaders have revised the curriculum to set clear goals for children by the end of Reception. Staff assess children carefully and use this information to plan activities that develop essential skills, such as fine and gross motor skills, which are crucial for writing.
Assessment practices throughout the school are effective, with teachers using questioning and quizzes to gauge pupils' understanding and retention of knowledge. This information helps inform future lesson planning. The school also supports pupils' personal development through a range of extracurricular activities, including clubs and trips. Pupils with special responsibilities, such as those in the eco council, contribute positively to the school environment and understand the importance of caring for their surroundings.
Behaviour at the school is calm and respectful, with staff providing support to pupils who need additional help. The leadership team is effective, fostering a collaborative environment where all staff work towards the common goal of helping pupils achieve their best. The governing body plays an active role in challenging school leaders to ensure continuous improvement in the curriculum.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with staff trained to identify and support pupils in need. The curriculum also includes education on safety, including online safety. To improve further, the school needs to enhance curriculum plans in certain subjects to provide clearer guidance for teachers and ensure all pupils receive high-quality reading instruction. Overall, the school demonstrates a commitment to providing a supportive and effective educational experience for its pupils.
