Grange Primary School, located in Tuffley, Gloucestershire, underwent its first inspection under the Education Act 2005 on January 17 and 18, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, alongside the quality of education, behavior and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school had not been previously inspected under section five of the Education Act 2005.
The inspection highlighted that considerable turbulence in staffing has hindered the pace of improvement. Despite this, school leaders and governors are committed to enhancing the educational experience for pupils. Recent efforts to improve the quality of education are beginning to take effect, although inconsistencies remain. A significant number of pupils are not acquiring the necessary knowledge to succeed across all subjects.
Grange Primary School is characterized as a caring environment where pupils are polite and well-mannered. They feel safe, knowing that support is readily available when needed. The school promotes values of kindness, honesty, responsibility, and respect, which pupils strive to embody. Most pupils exhibit good behavior and enjoy earning recognition for demonstrating positive learning attitudes. Staff are proactive in re-engaging pupils who lose focus during lessons, and there is a general trust in staff to address any issues, including bullying.
Pupils benefit from extracurricular experiences that enhance their personal development, taking on roles such as house captains and school councillors. They also participate in various clubs that nurture their talents and interests, with the choir being particularly popular among students.
The curriculum at Grange Primary School is ambitious, with staff outlining the content that pupils need to learn and revisit in each subject. When effectively taught, pupils can connect prior knowledge with current learning. However, variability in curriculum implementation means that learning outcomes differ across subjects and year groups. Reading is emphasized within the curriculum, with teachers reading aloud daily and selecting high-quality literature to enrich pupils' vocabulary and knowledge.
Leaders have invested significantly in early reading and mathematics programs, starting in Reception Year. Staff utilize stories and rhymes to develop children's speaking and listening skills, and they closely monitor pupils' progress in phonics and numeracy. However, some staff lack the expertise to support weaker readers effectively, resulting in many pupils not reading at age-appropriate levels.
The school accurately identifies pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring they follow the same curriculum as their peers. Nonetheless, not all teachers adapt the curriculum sufficiently to meet the needs of these pupils, leading to instances where they do not receive the necessary support for effective learning.
While most pupils demonstrate positive behavior and attitudes, inconsistencies in staff routines can disrupt learning. Attendance remains a concern, prompting leaders to implement new systems to improve it, although it is too early to assess their impact. Leaders also focus on fostering responsible citizenship among pupils, who engage in discussions about social and moral issues and participate in local charity work.
Staff express high regard for the school's leadership and appreciate the training they receive. Governors and trustees possess a clear understanding of the school's situation and challenge leaders appropriately regarding improvement rates. Most parents report satisfaction with their children's happiness and success at school, although some express concerns about communication and support for pupils with SEND.
The safeguarding arrangements at Grange Primary School are effective, with a strong culture of safeguarding in place. Staff are well-trained to identify at-risk pupils, and leaders respond promptly to concerns, collaborating with external agencies when necessary. Pupils are educated about safety, including online safety and the dangers of drugs, and they know whom to approach with concerns.
To improve, the school must ensure all staff possess the necessary expertise to support reading development, adapt the curriculum effectively for all pupils, enhance oversight of curriculum implementation, address attendance issues, and strengthen communication with parents.
