Atkinson Road Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 May 2023

Every day, staff work together with pupils at Atkinson Road to create a space where they feel safe and special. Pupils receive a warm, friendly welcome from the moment they arrive at school. Those new to the school, including pupils who arrive from overseas, quickly become part of this caring school family. This highly inclusive and vibrant school embraces everyone within its diverse community. Pupils care about each other. They behave well and demonstrate respect for each other during work and play. Pupils listen carefully and consider each other's views and opinions in lessons. Pupils enjoy many opportunities to learn from their friends about their different religions and cultures. They feel this is one of the best things about their school. They say 'it is what our school is all about'. While pupils report that bullying can happen, adults quickly sort it and pupils trust staff to help them when they need it. Pupils experience a rigorous and exciting curriculum. Leaders of the school and trust have high aspirations for all. Dedicated spaces for art, science, religious education and music teaching provide pupils with the opportunity to be immersed in their learning. The ambition for pupils' wider personal development is outstanding. Pupils access a vast array of opportunities beyond more formal lessons. Leaders have thought carefully about the exemplary experiences they provide for pupils to support them in developing their character, talents and interests.

What the school should improve

• In mathematics, pupils would benefit from further opportunities to practise and revisit important mathematical knowledge. Some pupils struggle to recall and apply what they have learned with automaticity. Leaders should continue their work to establish consistent, clear end points and check that pupils remember and can apply the knowledge needed to achieve these.
• Pupils' prior knowledge is not always systematically checked in preparation for the teaching of new content. Teachers are less clear about the most important content individual pupils need to learn. Leaders should continue to develop routine checks on learning in all subjects, to ensure that gaps in knowledge are identified and addressed more quickly.

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