Blaby Thistly Meadow Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is an aspirational school.

The school's rich curriculum is highly ambitious. Pupils are encouraged to become independent learners who question, debate and reflect on what they are taught. The school's focus on pupils' wider development prepares them exceptionally well for their next stages in education and their future lives.

Pupils achieve well across all areas of the curriculum.

Pupils are incredibly proud of their school's welcoming and nurturing ethos. Pupils are happy.

They are safe and cared for. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are particularly well supported. They achieve their best possible outcomes.
...
Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They show a mature commitment to their studies. Pupils enjoy all aspects of their learning.

They show resilience and determination to do their very best, explaining that, 'Some points in your life will be tough but there will always be a meadow at the end.'

Pupils are right to be proud of their various leadership roles. Their ideas and opinions are highly valued.

Their roles have a positive and tangible impact on both their school and local community. School councillors lead assemblies and organise local fundraising events, and school librarians record their views about different books on the school's 'chatterbooks' podcast.

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

The school is passionate about pupils learning to read quickly.

This journey starts for children immediately upon arrival in the Reception Year. Staff are experts in teaching phonics. Staff carefully select high-quality texts and use these across all areas of the curriculum.

Staff quickly identify pupils who are at risk of falling behind with the phonics programme. These pupils access meticulously well-planned and tailored extra sessions. This means that pupils catch up quickly.

The school encourages pupils to develop a deep love of reading for pleasure. Pupils relish the daily opportunity to listen to their teachers read to them.

Children get off to a strong start in the early years.

Staff establish clear routines and expectations. This leads to children developing positive attitudes to learning very early on. Children learn through play and enjoy taking risks.

Activities offered in the outdoor provision do not always have the same ambition as those provided in the classroom. Children do not consistently have the chance to embed their knowledge and skills outside like they do when they are in the classroom.

Across all areas of the curriculum, pupils have daily opportunities to reflect on what they already know.

They consider how new learning links to their existing knowledge. The use of 'exit' and 'entry' tickets is highly effective. This process helps pupils to remember.

As a result, pupils successfully embed their knowledge into their long-term memory. Pupils' understanding and use of key vocabulary is consistently secure. In lessons, pupils listen intently.

Those pupils who struggle with their concentration receive highly effective support from skilled staff. This ensures that all pupils experience success in their learning.

Staff present learning exceptionally well.

For example, in mathematics lessons, staff model new concepts with precision so that pupils have clear examples to follow. Staff demonstrate extremely secure subject knowledge across all subject areas. This is because they access high-quality training and receive regular coaching.

Staff appreciate the school's committed approach to their professional development. They particularly value the opportunity to network and share best practice with other schools in the local area.

Pupils with SEND access the same highly ambitious curriculum as their peers.

The school works proactively with external agencies to ensure that pupils with SEND are swiftly identified. The school uses expert advice to ensure that the best support for pupils with SEND is consistently implemented. Staff skilfully adapt their teaching to meet individual pupils' learning needs.

As a result, pupils with SEND produce work of a high quality across the curriculum. They achieve very well.

The school's personal development offer is exceptional.

There is a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities available, including unique outdoor learning. Pupils are particularly proud of the school's beehives. Pupils take their beekeeping and 'harvesting of honey' responsibilities very seriously.

Pupils demonstrate a mature understanding of tolerance and mutual respect. They explain that, 'Tolerance means acceptance of difference. We celebrate differences such as different religions.'



The school is extremely well led and managed. Staff are happy and united in their common goal to support pupils to achieve well. Everyone is proud to work at the school.

The school thinks about the impact on staff workload in all decision making. As a result, staff's well-being prioritised and supported well. Governors are passionate and knowledgeable about the school.

They fulfil their statutory duties. Parents and carers are immensely positive about the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Outdoor learning opportunities in the early years limit learning for some children. As a result, children do not consistently develop their knowledge and skills as well as they could. The school should ensure that the outdoor area provides opportunities across all seven areas of learning so that children can explore their interests and fully embed their learning.

Also at this postcode