Blackwell Community Primary and Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 January 2026

Blackwell Community Primary and Nursery School provides a happy and safe learning environment for all pupils. Pupils learn to value their education, and they enjoy learning. The school’s motto, ‘unlocking potential, providing opportunities, achieving goals’, is lived out. From the moment pupils arrive at the school in the morning, learning begins. Pupils are familiar with the routines of the school day. They quickly settle to the tasks they are given. They work with focus. They listen well to the adults in school and each other. They give of their best and are well prepared for the next stage in their education. Staff have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. If pupils need to be reminded about the school’s expectations for their behaviour, they respond promptly. Staff know pupils well. They recognise their strengths and when they need help to prepare to learn. In lessons and at social times, the school is calm and orderly. Pupils understand the importance of good manners and are positive advocates for their school. They do not worry about bullying because they are confident that the adults in school would help them to make it stop. Relationships between staff and pupils are based on kindness and respect. Many parents comment on the care their child receives at school. One parent’s comment was typical of many, ‘My child feels safe, valued, and confident coming to school each day.’ Pupils have a wide range of opportunities that broaden the school’s curriculum offer. They develop a love of the arts. They learn to play a musical instrument. They make films and create their own artwork with the help of experts. They learn to link the power of physical activity with positive mental health in ‘tai chi’ lessons. They are proud that they have recently qualified for county competitions for basketball and dodgeball.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that staff routinely correct pupils’ errors when they use their phonics knowledge to sound out words, so that pupils learn accurate strategies and develop greater reading fluency. • Leaders should ensure that the school’s handwriting policy is implemented consistently, so that pupils form letters accurately and write with increasing fluency. • Leaders should ensure that staff use a wider range of strategies to involve all pupils in class discussions, so that pupils engage more fully in their learning.

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