Arnesby Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 September 2023

This is a 'small school with a big heart', where everyone is respected. Pupils said that they are happy to come to school. They said that 'everybody is kind'. Pupils say that they feel safe when they are in school. They know that the adults care about them. They know whom to talk to if they have any worries or concerns. Pupils know that adults will help them sort out any difficulties they may have. Pupils say that bullying is rare. Pupils behave well. Trust leaders have provided extensive support. The expectations and ambition for pupils have been raised. However, some subjects are not planned well enough. As a result, pupils do not gain the knowledge they should across the curriculum. Pupils are beginning to take on the newly introduced roles of responsibility. They understand that the school council will help to make decisions. Pupils are positively engaged in the local community. During the inspection, they were busily rehearsing for the community dance show. Parents and carers have mixed views about the school. They recognise that the school has had a period of turbulence. Many are confident that the school will thrive under the new leadership.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum in some subjects is at an early stage. In some subjects, leadership is new. The curriculum is not consistently well planned and delivered. This hinders how well pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND, know more and can do more. The school should ensure that leaders have the professional development they need to lead their subject well. They should ensure that the curriculum is consistently well planned and implemented and that it meets the needs of all learners.
• The checks that teachers make on pupils' learning do not identify gaps in pupils' knowledge sufficiently well. This means that some pupils move through the curriculum with gaps in their learning. Some develop misconceptions. Leaders should ensure that teachers are equipped to use assessment well so that pupils' learning is secure.
• The early years curriculum is not structured as well as is needed. This means that at times, staff are unclear about what children need to learn and when this should be taught. This leads to inconsistency in curriculum implementation. The school should review the early years curriculum, ensuring clarity about the important knowledge that needs to be taught and the order in which it should be learned.
• The curriculum for personal development does not help pupils to fully understand fundamental British values. This means that pupils are not prepared well enough for some aspects of life in modern Britain. Leaders must ensure that the curriculum enables pupils to develop a secure understanding of British values.
• Rates of attendance remain too low. The proportion of pupils who are persistently absent from school is too high. This means that some pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils, miss too much of their education. Leaders need to continue to develop the work with children and their families to ensure that all pupils attend school regularly and that the rate of persistent absence is reduced.

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