Balsall Common Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 January 2025

Pupils demonstrate exemplary behaviour. They understand the importance of being kind and caring to each other. The school's values are understood and modelled by all. Pupils are respectful to each other and staff. They hold doors open and welcome visitors to their school with smiles and good manners. Pupils are eager to talk about the range of exciting opportunities they are offered to develop their talents and interests. Those pupils who hold leadership roles take such responsibility seriously and know that their voice matters. They are committed to representing other pupils' views. Staff are dedicated to making learning exciting, and this helps pupils to feel happy and motivated at school. A newly developed curriculum has raised expectations of what pupils can do and is now supporting pupils to achieve well. Pupils have positive attitudes to their learning and concentrate well in lessons. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well to access the same learning as their peers. Pupils enjoy performing the school rap. This helps them remember the importance of being active members of their community and showing initiative. Pupils are so proud to have raised lots of money for those in need and continue to think of new ways to contribute positively to local charities.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, in key stages 1 and 2, the school is not checking the subject-specific knowledge and skills that pupils need to master to become better at the subject. As a result, opportunities to deepen pupils' understanding are missed. The school should ensure that subject-specific knowledge and skills support its assessments of how well pupils perform in some subjects.
• Staff do not always deliver the subject-specific knowledge and skills expected and outlined in the curriculum effectively. Consequently, not all pupils are supported to become more proficient in some subjects. The school should ensure that all staff have the necessary support to deliver the curriculum as intended.
• Further work is required to support staff who hold responsibility for delivering school improvement actions. Some are not yet accurately assessing how well improvement actions are impacting on pupils' learning. The school should ensure that those with responsibility for assessing the impact of the curriculum are supported to do so effectively.

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