Bishop David Sheppard Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 May 2023

Pupils, including children in the early years, are happy both learning and playing at this school. Staff make sure that those who are new to the school, including those who have arrived recently from other countries, settle in well and feel welcome. Pupils told inspectors that they are safe because 'strangers cannot get into the school' and because 'staff are always around' to look after them. Neither leaders nor staff allow bullying. If there is any unkindness, adults deal with it quickly. Staff expect pupils to behave well in lessons and at social times. Pupils respond well to rewards for good behaviour. They listen to adults, follow instructions and are polite and courteous. They also rise to their teachers' expectations of academic achievement and hard work. Pupils strive to 'be the best that they can be'. Many pupils take part in activities which leaders provide outside the school day. These include sports, choir and chess. They enjoy taking on responsibilities such as being the voice of their class on the school council and being playground leaders. They learn about active citizenship and caring for the environment when taking part in activities such as helping a local group to plant trees.

What the school should improve

• Some pupils do not attend school regularly enough. As a result, they do not benefit as much as their peers from the good quality of education and personal development that the school provides. Leaders should work with families to improve attendance so that all pupils reach their full potential in all aspects of school life, including academically.
• Leaders have recently introduced new curriculums for a small number of subjects in key stage 2. In these subjects, they have not given enough thought to the transition from the previous curriculums. As a result, teaching does not take into account what pupils have learned in the past, and pupils do not achieve as well as they should. Leaders should review the new curriculums to ensure that they build on what pupils already know and remember, including what they know and remember from key stage 1.

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