Cobbs Brow School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils love attending this warm and welcoming school.

From the moment they start school in the early years, they thrive in the happy, positive atmosphere. Pupils feel that they are a part of a big family that values everyone. They look after each other.

They know that there is always a trusted adult to go to if they are worried.

Pupils know that the school has very high expectations for their academic development. They relish interesting lessons and feel that learning is challenging and fun.

This encourages them to always try their best. They take pride in their work and achieve exceptionally well.

Pupils' behaviour in school is exemplary....r/>
They are responsible, respectful and ready to learn. They have excellent manners and show high levels of courtesy to all. From the moment that they start in the Nursery Year, children learn the rules and routines, which helps them to develop independence and build social skills.

Pupils hold many different positions of responsibility. For example, some pupils train to be well-being warriors who help others when they are feeling sad or worried. Pupils can attend a wide range of clubs that cater for every possible interest, from computing to karaoke.

There are many opportunities for pupils to take part in competitive sports at all levels.

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

The curriculum is interesting and highly ambitious in all subjects. Pupils go on an inspiring learning journey where they build a rich body of knowledge over time.

For example, there is a regular whole school 'history day'. This is enhanced with visitors from local historical groups so that pupils build their historical knowledge of the local area.

Teachers use their strong subject knowledge to check learning and challenge thinking by providing deeper learning activities.

The school has effective systems to check on pupils' learning at the end of each topic. This informs future teaching. Teachers also identify and address any misconceptions during lessons.

As a result, pupils are very successful in learning curriculum content. They achieve highly.

Children make a strong start to this journey in the early years.

This includes children who attend the two-year-old provision. Here, purposeful, exciting activities capture their imagination and attention. They build their knowledge securely in all areas of learning and they are ready for Year 1.

The school identifies pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) at the earliest opportunity. These pupils access the same curriculum as their peers through appropriate adaptations in lessons. They receive extra support when it is needed.

Reading is a priority and a passion in the school. Right from the start of the Nursery Year, children learn to love a wide variety of stories, poems and rhymes. Early readers build a secure knowledge of sounds and can blend these to read words and sentences.

Pupils who are in danger of falling behind the phonics programme receive swift support to help them catch up. Pupils build reading fluency and accuracy as they move through key stage 1. They read and understand increasingly challenging texts.

Older pupils are avid, confident readers who talk about a wide range of favourite books and authors.

Pupils demonstrate exceptional learning behaviour in lessons. They are engaged and highly motivated to learn.

They show high levels of resilience and independence, right from the earliest age. Children in the early years learn about turn-taking, sharing and responding to conflict.

The school has clear procedures for promoting good attendance.

Attendance is broadly in line with the national average. The school tracks individual pupils and their circumstances closely. It works closely with parents and carers, offering support and challenge as appropriate.

It does everything that it reasonably can to improve the attendance of pupils who are not in school regularly enough.

Pupils learn about other religions and cultures. They welcome visitors of different faiths into school.

Pupils understand and believe in the idea of equality. However, some pupils are unclear about the ways in which people might be different and how this can lead to discrimination. Pupils have a secure understanding of fundamental British values.

They know how these values are relevant to life in school. The school gives pupils opportunities to contribute to the local community, for example through being part of the campaign to prevent the closure of the local swimming pool.

Leaders at all levels have a clear ambition and drive to provide a high-quality education for all pupils.

Subject leaders are knowledgeable about their subjects. They ensure that the curriculum is delivered to a high standard. The school has made staff's well-being an absolute priority.

Staff appreciate the steps taken to reduce their workload, such as giving them time to work together.

The vast majority of parents feel that the school keeps them well informed of what their child is learning and how they can help with this. They appreciate the strong pastoral support available for all pupils.

Governors are well informed and maintain a strong oversight of what is happening in school. This enables them to ensure that all pupils benefit from an excellent quality of education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some pupils do not have a deep enough understanding about the differences between people and how this can lead to discrimination. This means they are not as well prepared for life within a diverse British society as they could be. The school should further enhance pupils' understanding of this aspect of their learning.