Bridgewater Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

For the pupils, families and staff who are part of Bridgewater, it is more than 'a school'.

It is the beating heart of this vibrant and diverse community. The school has forged partnerships with world-class venues and organisations from across the city and beyond. These open up a world of possibilities to the pupils.

From a regular science club delivered in a renowned science centre's laboratories to a drama club housed in the city's theatre, pupils' aspirations are lifted from the moment they join this wonderful school community.

Across the school day, behaviour is exceptional. Pupils develop a deep respect for each other.

They appreciate their scho...ol as a melting pot of religions, cultures and backgrounds. Pupils say, 'Everyone can find their place here.' As such, genuinely warm relationships ensure that pupils feel happy and safe.

They enjoy their days learning and playing harmoniously alongside each other. The positive attitudes and values developed by pupils prepare them excellently for life far beyond the school gates.

The school's expectations for pupils' academic development are also high.

The quality of education provided in the school ensures that pupils achieve well across the curriculum. Pupils gain a solid foundation for their next stage of education.

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

The school's ambitions for all pupils are high.

Staff are determined to ensure that pupils achieve well. Staff say that they aim to be 'the advantage to the disadvantage that many of our pupils face'. They tackle any barriers to success with rigour.

As such, pupils benefit from a well-considered curriculum. Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly. They are then particularly well supported to access the same learning opportunities and wider school experiences as their peers.

Staff feel confident to support all children due to the high-quality training that they have received.

Teaching develops pupils' knowledge across the range of subjects well. Exciting activities and partnerships with professionals are chosen to capture the interest of all.

For example, the local police and fire service deliver aspects of the school's safety curriculum. The school's mathematics curriculum enables pupils to build their mathematical knowledge over time. The school recognises that the teaching of times tables and other number facts creates a solid foundation for other mathematics learning.

However, the checks carried out on how well pupils remember this and other knowledge are not routinely precise enough to identify misconceptions and gaps in pupils' knowledge. This results in pupils' learning across aspects of the curriculum not being as secure as it could be.

A jewel in the crown of the school's offer is its exceptional music curriculum.

From Year 1, all pupils learn to play an instrument. Pupils are taught weekly by expert musicians from a prestigious arts venue. By the time they enter Year 6, they play together in an impressive orchestra.

All pupils thrive, including those with SEND, often achieving highly in their musical talents. Pupils have performed with a British chamber orchestra and regularly perform to audiences.Children in the early years make the strongest possible start.

The seamless curriculum journey from the linked provision for zero- to three-year-old children is exceptional. Skilled adults develop children's early language skills as part of every interaction. Both the indoor and outdoor learning environments are excellent in providing a vast range of stimulating resources that support learning across all areas of the curriculum.

The foundations for the exemplary behaviours seen across the school are cemented in early years. Pupils live up to the high expectations set in early years to the day that they leave Bridgewater. Those who need extra support to manage their own behaviour receive the care and guidance that they need to achieve success.

Over time, pupils learn to read with confidence and fluency. Those who need the extra help to catch up receive effective and rapid support. As pupils reading skills grow, so does their love of reading for pleasure.

They enjoy a myriad of books across the school and the ability to request a book to be added to the well-stocked library.

Attendance is high. The school works tirelessly to support families to ensure that pupils attend school as much as possible.

This includes the school having its own minibus to collect pupils who struggle to make it to school on time. The package of pastoral support available to pupils and families is vast. As a result, parents' views of the school are almost entirely positive.

Staff enjoy working as part of a cohesive team. They feel that their workload and well-being is well considered and are proud to be making a difference to their local community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Staff do not always identify the individual misconceptions and gaps in pupils' knowledge. This results in pupils' learning across aspects of the curriculum not being as secure as it could be. The school should ensure teachers routinely identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge so pupils reach their potential.

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