Barwick and Stoford Community Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 June 2023

Pupils are happy at this friendly and welcoming school. Strong and respectful relationships exist between pupils and staff. One pupil summed this up by saying, 'school is like my second family'. Pupils trust staff. They are confident that staff will deal with any difficulties they have, including bullying. Parents say that their children feel safe at school. Leaders have high expectations of pupils. However, these are not reflected in pupils' day-to-day experiences. Leaders have not made sure that there are policies and practices throughout the school that support pupils to learn well. Some areas of the curriculum are not well developed. This means that pupils, including those in the early years, do not gain the important skills and knowledge that they need. Nonetheless, pupils enjoy learning. They are polite and listen to instructions. Pupils look after each other, including older pupils acting as role models for younger pupils at lunchtimes. Pupils are accepting of those who are different to them. They enjoy taking on responsibilities, such as being part of the eco-club. Pupils appreciate the extra-curricular clubs that staff provide, such as cricket, multi-sports, choir, cooking and football.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not tackled the weaknesses in the school with enough urgency and rigour. This includes attendance. Their actions have not had the necessary impact on the quality of education that pupils receive. Leaders must make sure that they have clear plans for improvement. They must also hold staff to account for the realisation of these plans.
• In many subjects, leaders have not identified the important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember. Teachers do not help pupils to remember key knowledge. Pupils have significant gaps in their understanding. They are not well- prepared for their future learning. Leaders must identify the important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember, from the early years onwards. They must support teachers to help pupils know and remember this knowledge.
• Leaders have not established a clear and ambitious vision for children in the early years. They have not made sure that it is realised through strong, shared values, policies and practices. This means that practice in the early years does not meet the needs of children. It does not prepare them well for their future learning. Leaders must establish a clear and ambitious vision for the early years and ensure that it is reflected in children's day-to-day experiences.

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