Bricknell Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at this caring and aspirational school.

They are happy and meet the school's high expectations for their academic achievement and personal development. Pupils have strong and positive relationships with staff. Pupils know that adults in school keep them safe, and if they have any worries, any member of staff will help them.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They listen carefully, are highly motivated and show respect and kindness towards adults and each other. Pupils are confident when sharing their ideas with their peers and can build on each other's learning and explanations.

They understand the importance of education and link what they are lea...rning to future careers and opportunities in the wider world. Pupils and their families know the importance of regular attendance.

There is a tangible passion for every pupil to succeed and 'aim high in everything they do'.

School leaders have designed the 'Bricknell Graduate Programme', which encourages pupils to take on extra learning within a subject area. They 'graduate' by demonstrating their new learning. Activities like this help to develop pupils' perseverance and resilience.

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

Pupils benefit from a broad and highly ambitious curriculum. In many instances, it exceeds what is expected nationally. Across each subject, leaders have broken down the knowledge and skills that pupils need to know and have identified the end points pupils need to reach.

Teaching ensures that pupils have many opportunities to revisit what they have previously learned and regularly checks what pupils can remember from previous lessons. Pupils' knowledge builds exceptionally well across the curriculum. They achieve very well in school, and this is further reflected in their very strong performance in national tests.

The school has high expectations for pupils' behaviour and conduct around the school. Strong routines ensure that pupils are calm and polite, both inside and outside the classroom. From the early years, pupils show a highly focused attitude to their learning.

Teachers benefit from a range of subject-specific training. They are experts in their subjects and present information clearly. Pupils have multiple opportunities to consider and then discuss their ideas.

They listen to each other and offer points of agreement or challenge politely. This encourages them to embed their new knowledge and apply it to new contexts.

From the beginning of their time in the early years, children receive expert tuition to learn how to read.

Children master phonics quickly. They use the strategies that they are taught to read new books successfully. Skilled staff provide precise support for the small number of pupils who struggle to read.

This support helps these pupils to gain confidence. Pupils become fluent and expert readers. They appreciate the wide range of texts that they are given, which further inspires their curiosity to learn.

The provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is exceptional. Dedicated and well-trained staff are swift to identify any needs. Staff provide expert support, which helps pupils to learn effectively with increasing independence.

Pupils with SEND work successfully alongside their peers in the classroom wherever possible.

The personal development offer for pupils is exemplary. Staff help pupils to develop a secure understanding of topics such as finance, safety, mental health and careers.

School leaders have designed an 'Aspiration Curriculum' in which pupils are helped to develop their personal development skills in all subject areas. The culture of the school is based on every child being successful in all areas of the curriculum. Pupils have a strong understanding of British values and protected characteristics.

Pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain.

The school is not complacent. It reflects on how well its provision is improving the life chances of pupils.

At all levels, staff seek to further develop the school's offer. Staff greatly enjoy working here. They are supported fully with their well-being and workload.

Parents and carers are very positive about the quality of the school's provision for their children.

Trust leaders and trustees make decisions in the best interests of pupils. They fulfil their roles with commitment and tenacity.

The trust and those responsible for governance are highly knowledgeable about the school. They match the exceptionally high expectations that leaders have for all pupils.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Also at this postcode