Birchfield Community Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 May 2024

Pupils are happy at this nurturing, inclusive school. They build positive relationships with staff and each other. Children learn to listen, share and take turns from the start of the early years. High expectations of behaviour continue throughout the school. Pupils feel safe. They trust adults to help them to resolve difficulties. Parents and carers appreciate how the school supports their children's learning and personal development. They praise the school's caring atmosphere and 'strong sense of community'. Staff and governors want the very best for all pupils. The school continues to develop and refine the curriculum. The curriculum prepares pupils well for their next stage of learning. Pupils progress well through the curriculum, which is reflected in the school's positive published outcomes. The school strives to enrich pupils' experiences beyond the classroom. Pupils look forward to exciting trips, like the forthcoming residential visit to London. They can attend a variety of extra-curricular clubs that develop their talents. For example, choir, coding and dance clubs. Pupils learn to be active citizens. They take leadership roles as school councillors and members of the eco-committee seriously. Pupils lead changes to school life. For example, they are proud of how they raised funds for new school equipment.

What the school should improve

• Some pupils, including pupils with SEND, do not learn well in a few foundation subjects. Adaptations to learning do not always meet pupils' individual needs. The school must ensure that learning is adapted effectively so that all pupils, including those with SEND, learn the ambitious curriculum well in every subject.
• Pupils at the early stages of learning to read do not always receive the precise guidance and support they need. They struggle to apply their phonic knowledge to read with fluency and confidence as a result. The school must make sure that all pupils who struggle with reading get the support they need to catch up quickly. How can I feed back my views You can use Ofsted Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child's school, or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection. The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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