Newchurch Community Primary School is a friendly and cheerful place to learn and work. Pupils enjoy school and feel safe. They know that staff are keen for them to succeed. Teachers have high expectations of all pupils. In turn, pupils behave well and work hard in lessons. They show an interest in what they are learning. Pupils play happily together at breaktimes and lunchtimes. Pupils who spoke with me said that bullying hardly ever happens and if it does, it gets sorted out quickly. One pupil commented, ‘If we make the wrong choices, we are given a solution to help us improve.’ Pupils develop confidence and independence. Adults plan activities to make sure that the school’s motto, ‘preparing to fly’, links to real experiences for pupils. One example among many is the Newchurch Festival. Every aspect of this community event is planned, designed and performed by pupils. Pupils are encouraged to express their views on how to improve the school. They are tolerant and respectful of those who may be different from themselves. Most parents and carers who responded to the online survey were highly complimentary about the school. As one parent wrote, ‘We couldn’t wish for a better school. Each child has an equal chance to flourish.’ What does the school do well and what does it need to do better? Leaders, staff and governors want the very best for pupils. Leaders ensure that all pupils study a broad range of subjects. They plan the curriculum carefully so that pupils are able to build on their knowledge as they move through the school. Subject leaders who are new to their role are well supported by senior leaders. Children enjoy learning in early years. Teachers plan fun and interesting activities that develop children’s curiosity. Children learn letter names and sounds from the start of Reception Year. There is also a strong and effective focus on developing children’s vocabulary. For example, children in the Reception class talked with confidence about animals that hibernate and could name animals that are nocturnal. Leaders promote a love of reading across the school. Teachers read books that capture pupils’ interest and imagination. One pupil told me she couldn’t wait to find out what happened next in their class reading book, ‘Eleven’. Pupils are encouraged to read frequently. Most pupils develop into successful readers and achieve well by the time they leave school. However, some of the books used to develop reading skills for younger pupils are too difficult. Mathematics is a strength across the school. Teachers are appropriately trained and supported to teach mathematics. The carefully planned curriculum helps teachers to know what to teach and when. It also helps pupils to develop their mathematical knowledge and skills well over time. Pupils learn well in a range of other subjects. In science, pupils have many opportunities to develop their scientific knowledge and understanding. They are challenged to find things out for themselves. For example, Year 4 pupils investigate which materials are good electrical conductors or insulators. Pupils delight in their success when they complete a circuit. The curriculum in art is ambitious and is planned in a logical order. This helps teachers to develop pupils’ skills and their appreciation of art. It was a joy to see this in classes across the school. For example, Year 1 pupils talked confidently about the use of warm and cool colours in their work. In Year 6, pupils experimented with hue, tint, tone and definition. Pupils concentrate fully in the calm, well-ordered classrooms. They work cooperatively together, taking turns and listening to each other’s point of view. The school’s curriculum helps pupils to find out more about the world in which they live. Leaders help to bring learning alive through a wide range of exciting educational trips and visits. Leaders are keen to broaden pupils’ learning through guest speakers. Pupils spoke excitedly about visits to the Lowry Museum and working alongside the Northern Chamber Orchestra. Leaders are committed to all pupils achieving their very best. Staff are well trained in understanding how to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils with SEND make good progress from their starting points in this inclusive school. However, some of the individual plans for pupils are out of date. Leaders have not checked whether the extra support pupils receive is working as intended. The newly appointed headteacher and deputy headteacher, skilfully supported by governors, have made staff well-being a priority. They keep a close eye on staff workload. Teachers, including those who are new to the profession, feel very well supported and are proud to work at the school. A typical comment from a teacher was, ‘In Newchurch, we are a strong team who work hard together to get the job done.’ Inspection report: Newchurch Community Primary School 19–20 November 2019 2 Safeguarding The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. There is a strong culture of safeguarding throughout the school. Pupils are confident that adults will act in their best interests. Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe on the internet and in the community. Leaders and staff know pupils and their families very well. This helps them to spot early signs that a pupil may be in need of additional support. Staff are well trained and understand their roles in keeping pupils safe. Records of concerns and subsequent actions are clear and carefully maintained.