Belsay Primary School, located in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has recently undergone its first inspection since becoming an academy. The inspection took place on December 5 and 6, 2023, and the overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good. The headteacher, Craig Shaw, leads the school, which is part of the Pele Trust, overseen by CEO Kieran McGrane and a board of trustees chaired by Gerry Miller. The school caters to children aged four to eleven and currently has 83 pupils enrolled.
The inspection highlighted that pupils thrive in a friendly and caring environment. They arrive at school on time, eager to learn, and feel safe due to the supportive staff. The school offers a broad curriculum with high expectations for all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The global curriculum encourages pupils to engage in discussions about local and global issues, while reading is emphasized across all subjects. This focus on reading has resulted in pupils demonstrating strong reading skills.
Pupils exhibit high levels of respect for one another and their teachers. In the early years, children learn to listen attentively, and older pupils enjoy mentoring younger students during lunchtime. The school promotes collaboration as a core value, encouraging pupils to share ideas and work together during lessons. Additionally, the school provides various opportunities for personal development, including physical education led by a specialist and popular music tuition.
The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, ensuring that essential knowledge is clearly sequenced from Reception to Year 6. For instance, Year 4 pupils study the Anglo-Saxons, while Year 5 and Year 6 focus on the Second World War. However, some pupils struggle to retain knowledge over the long term, which affects their ability to connect new learning with prior knowledge. The school acknowledges the need to improve how it assesses pupils' retention of important information.
In mathematics, lessons are carefully organized to build knowledge progressively. Younger pupils in Year 1 use counters for basic subtraction, while Year 2 students tackle addition and subtraction problems in written form. Despite this structured approach, there are instances where misconceptions and gaps in knowledge are not identified promptly, hindering some pupils' progress.
The school excels in fostering a love of reading. Pupils enjoy a diverse selection of high-quality texts and look forward to daily storytime. They actively recommend books to peers and are motivated to read at home through incentive programs. The phonics program is effectively implemented from the earliest stages, with staff providing exceptional support to ensure pupils develop strong reading skills.
Belsay Primary School effectively identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs. Detailed pupil passports guide staff in providing tailored support, including personalized workspaces and organizational tools. The school also engages parents by sharing information on how to assist their children with reading at home.
The personal development program is well-structured, beginning in Reception and helping pupils understand their growth and identity. The school offers various extracurricular activities, including clubs and residential visits, which contribute to character development. The active lunch program ensures that all pupils have access to physical activities, promoting fitness and well-being.
Governance at the school is strong, with trustees frequently visiting to monitor progress and support improvement initiatives. Staff express pride in their work environment and appreciate the training and resources available to enhance their teaching. They feel well-supported by school leaders.
The safeguarding arrangements at Belsay Primary School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, the inspection identified areas for improvement. In some mathematics lessons, the checks on pupils' understanding are less effective, and staff need to develop the expertise to quickly identify and address gaps in knowledge. Additionally, the school should enhance its understanding of how well pupils retain knowledge in foundation subjects to better adapt the curriculum to meet their needs.
Overall, Belsay Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a high-quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment. The school is well-positioned to build on its strengths while addressing the identified areas for improvement.
