Bawtry Mayflower Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Staff make learning enjoyable for pupils.

Pupils are inquisitive and quickly settle to learn. They like making new friends. Pupils are supportive of one another and show kindness.

They say that they can play with anyone during social times in this caring school.

The school has high expectations for pupils' behaviour and achievement. Pupils achieve very well in national assessments at the end of key stage 2.

Many pupils meet the high expectations the school has for their behaviour. They benefit from learning in calm and purposeful lessons.

Pupils speak with passion about the trips and visits that they go on.

Pupils in Year 3 value th...eir overnight residential. Children in Reception enjoy their visit to a local castle. The exciting range of trips and visits broaden pupils' experience.

Pupils learn about how to manage risk on these trips. For example, pupils are taught how to check for cars before they exit the coach in a safe manner. These deliberate activities help pupils develop independence.

Such memorable experiences build 'Mayflower Memories' that pupils will cherish after they leave the school.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has made recent refinements to the curriculum. The school identifies the key knowledge it wants pupils to learn.

This helps pupils to gradually develop their knowledge over time. For example, in mathematics pupils connect learning about angles to new learning about algebra. At times, the learning tasks that pupils are set in some subjects do not enable pupils to apply or explore their learning in sufficient depth.

Pupils at the early stages of reading benefit from effective support. Well-trained adults ensure that pupils develop their reading skills successfully. The school checks how well pupils are progressing in reading.

Those who need extra support are swiftly identified. Tailored interventions ensure that these pupils keep up with their peers. Pupils enjoy reading.

They are keen to discuss their favourite book and what makes it special to them. During class reading times, pupils read a range of books that help them to learn about wider topics. Pupils in Year 5 read about World War 2 and the treatment of individuals perceived as different.

This helps pupils gain knowledge of history and fosters their care for others. Pupils display respect for difference.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive effective support.

This ensures that they access the ambitious curriculum. The school identifies the support pupils need, including pupils with SEND. Adults are well informed about this.

For example, some pupils learn key vocabulary before moving on to new learning. This helps them develop important knowledge in advance of new learning.

Children get off to a happy start to their learning in early years.

The warm relationships with staff help children to feel cared for. Children develop impressive vocabulary from a young age. For example, children in Reception explained how a caterpillar 'adapts' to become a 'chrysalis'.

Children also develop important social skills. They share toy cars and bikes while developing their gross motor skills. These experiences help prepare children well for their next stage of learning.

Pupils are proud to take on different leadership roles in school. Year 6 pupils buddy with children in Reception. They support them on their visit to post a letter in a local post box.

Subject ambassadors collaborate with subject leaders in the school. These pupils share ideas about their learning. For example, geography ambassadors helped to raise the profile of geography.

They developed a whole school competition to create a sketch map. These rich opportunities help pupils to develop their leadership and communication skills.

Leaders at the school are resolute in providing the best education for pupils.

They have a clear view of the school's strengths and their areas for further improvement. Governors have effective training to enable them to offer appropriate challenge. As a result, there is a relentless focus on school improvement.

Adults in the school are proud to work there. They know that their workload and well-being are a priority for leaders. Adults know they are highly valued.

Parents and carers appreciate the school. One parent captured the views of many when they said, 'Bawtry Mayflower is a warm, friendly and welcoming school.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Occasionally, in a small number of subjects, the tasks that pupils are set do not enable them to extend their knowledge as well as they could. When this happens, they do not learn aspects of the curriculum in sufficient depth. The school should ensure that it provides pupils with appropriate opportunities to develop their learning to further deepen their understanding.

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