Burnley Stoneyholme Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is an exceptional school. The school has a number of values that inform its work, including providing pupils with a 'magical and awe-inspiring childhood'. This is realised through the impressive curriculum that pupils learn.

From the early years, children receive an excellent start to their education. Pupils flourish throughout the school. By the time that they leave the school, pupils achieve an incredible depth of knowledge across the curriculum.

Pupils are happy and excited by their learning. They find it utterly irresistible.

The school enhances pupils' learning through an inspirational enrichment programme.

Every pupil participates. For ins...tance, pupils learn advanced computing, hone their physical education skills, compose music and learn dance routines. These additional opportunities extend beyond the national curriculum and significantly deepen and broaden pupils' knowledge.

Pupils behave exceptionally well. Older pupils often support younger pupils. Pupils use the wide range of leadership opportunities provided to act as excellent role models for others.

The foundations for pupils' exceptional attitudes to learning are set in the early years. From this time on, pupils defend each other's right to learn through their superb conduct. Pupils behave consistently well, whether adults are present or not.

Pupils love being in school.

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

Pupils learn a very ambitious curriculum. Many children start school without the language skills and knowledge that they need.

Teachers quickly check and address these gaps. By the time pupils leave the school, they are more than ready for the next stage of their education. While published outcomes are broadly average, the progress that pupils make from their starting points is exceptional.

Teachers routinely check that pupils remember what they have learned. Across the curriculum, pupils eagerly share what they know. In computing, pupils explain the difference between infinite loops and timed loops.

In art and design, they explain the precise techniques needed to make different prints. Pupils' work is of an exceptional quality.

The school identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) quickly and precisely.

Teachers make sure that pupils with SEND practise applying what they have learned. This helps pupils with SEND to master the important knowledge and skills of the subjects they study. Pupils with SEND flourish with this support.

Pupils routinely connect their new learning to the things that they already know. In mathematics, pupils use their fluent knowledge of times tables to calculate fractions and decimals. In the early years, children rapidly master the knowledge that they need for future learning.

They quickly learn to spot different mathematical amounts and shapes. When pupils leave Reception, they have the knowledge that they need for Year 1 and beyond.In the early years, staff help children to use a wide vocabulary.

Children in the early years develop a secure knowledge of phonics. They rapidly become fluent readers. If pupils have limited language, or are new to English, the school makes sure that they acquire speaking skills in an order that is right for them.

Any gaps that children have are quickly addressed by teachers. Older pupils receive an exceptional reading curriculum. They read widely and often.

Staff share well-chosen literature with pupils daily. They bring stories to life for pupils. This inspires pupils to read with expression and joy.

Pupils' personal development is a golden thread that runs throughout the school. Pupils develop an impressive understanding of healthy relationships and the importance of consent. Pupils accept their differences and treat everyone in school with the utmost respect.

This reflects pupils' consistent and exceptional behaviour. The school provides many opportunities for pupils to develop their sense of citizenship. Some pupils are elected to be 'prime minister' and 'secretaries of state'.

They use these roles to create action plans that improve their school. The experiences that the school provides significantly enrich pupils' education. For example, some pupils grow plants in the school's 'Eden project', while others create information videos using the school's green screen.

Pupils find these experiences inspirational. They leave school as well-rounded individuals with deep knowledge across a range of areas.

Those responsible for governance use their experience to challenge and support leaders.

Governors check that the school is taking the right actions in the best interests of pupils. The school provides highly effective support and professional development for staff at all levels. Leaders carefully consider the workload of staff and support them well.

Staff are very proud to work at this school. One member of staff summed up the views of others, saying, 'I have found my forever school.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.