Arbury Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 September 2023

Arbury is a welcoming and inclusive school where pupils are happy. Each morning, staff greet children and their families on the playground. This contributes to a positive start to the school day. Pupils have warm and trusting relationships with adults, which helps them feel safe. Pupils are confident that a trusted adult will deal with any concerns they have. Pupils enjoy being in school, both to learn and to play with their friends. They like their teachers and describe the school as being 'like a big family.' Pupils achieve well during their time at Arbury. They enjoy the many trips and enrichment experiences linked to the topics they learn about. For example, Year 4 pupils spoke excitedly about their forthcoming trip to Colchester Castle. This links to their learning about the Romans. Clear routines and high expectations ensure calm and sensible behaviour at all times. Parents are very positive about the school and what it provides for their children. The comment of one parent, typical of many, is that Arbury Primary is 'a diverse and inclusive school, where all children are treated equally regardless of background.'

What the school should improve

• In a few curriculum subjects, the systems for checking what pupils have learned are not fully developed. In these subjects, teachers do not know precisely what pupils have learned and what they need to learn next. The school should continue to refine the assessment systems so that these are consistently effective in all areas of the curriculum.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)