Ugborough Primary School, located in Ivybridge, Devon, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on July 18, 2023. The school is characterized by a vibrant and enthusiastic student body that takes pride in their learning experiences. Pupils express appreciation for the supportive staff, highlighting the strong relationships that foster a positive school culture. This nurturing environment encourages students to meet the high expectations set by their teachers, creating a calm yet motivational atmosphere for learning.
The school offers a diverse range of opportunities for students to enrich their education beyond the classroom. Pupils value experiences such as residential trips, curriculum-related visits, and a variety of extracurricular clubs. They particularly enjoy participating in performing arts, with current productions like Treasure Island being a source of joy. The school council plays an active role in enhancing the school environment, having successfully fundraised for improved playtime equipment. These activities contribute to students' understanding of respect, resilience, and self-awareness, preparing them well for future educational endeavors.
Parents and carers commend the school for its strong sense of community and the quality of pastoral and academic support provided by the staff. The leadership team has established an ambitious curriculum that caters to all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The early years foundation stage is particularly effective, with teaching that supports children's physical, language, and mathematical development. Staff interactions with children are carefully considered, positively impacting their growth and readiness for subsequent educational stages.
Subject leaders demonstrate a solid understanding of their areas and effectively monitor progress. The leadership team is responsive to the training needs of staff, ensuring that teachers possess secure subject knowledge. The curriculum encompasses a wide range of subjects, with a notable emphasis on vocabulary development. However, the wider curriculum is still in development, lacking a fully established whole-school approach to learning and assessment. This gap can lead to some pupils not achieving their full potential, although leaders are actively working to address this issue.
Reading is prioritized throughout the school, with effective early reading instruction in place. Staff are well-trained in phonics, ensuring that children receive the necessary support to keep up if they fall behind. Pupils enjoy reading and can confidently discuss their favorite authors and genres. The school also promotes diversity through its reading materials, with community support enhancing the reading culture.
Leaders are committed to ensuring that pupils with special educational needs receive the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. They are aware of the barriers these pupils face and design targeted support to help them succeed. Recent improvements in SEND provision include extending leadership roles and implementing online tools for better target-setting and review.
The school fosters pupils' wider development through effective partnerships with local schools and the wider trust, preparing them for secondary education. Pupils demonstrate a strong awareness of their community and respect for diverse backgrounds. They learn about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of physical activity and mental well-being.
Governance is strong, with trustees providing appropriate support and challenge to ensure continuous improvement while maintaining the school's identity within the local community. Safeguarding measures are effective, with a robust culture in place to protect pupils. Staff are well-trained to identify concerns, and procedures for reporting are thorough. Overall, Ugborough Primary School continues to provide a good educational experience, with leaders focused on ongoing development and improvement.
