Blackwell Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 May 2023

Pupils flourish at Blackwell Primary, and they are keen to learn. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff encourage pupils to be confident when studying new concepts. This means that pupils know that it is okay to make mistakes because they learn from them. Consequently, pupils achieve well across the curriculum. Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and respectful in this welcoming school. Pupils are friendly to others, play happily together and kindly share equipment. They know and consistently demonstrate the school's core values of 'responsibility, compassion, courage and respect', which means pupils feel safe. Pupils behave well because staff help them to understand and follow the clear behaviour expectations. Consequently, pupils take responsibility for the choices they make. Bullying is addressed promptly, and instances are rare. Pupils benefit from a broad range of additional learning and extra-curricular activities. These enable pupils to learn new skills and develop new interests. For example, pupils learn traditional craft skills through woodland activities. Pupils relish different leadership opportunities so they can make a positive difference to their school. This includes, for example, being a school council representative.

What the school should improve

• Leaders are not yet consistent in their evaluation of curriculum implementation. This means that curriculum developments, which could further improve pupils' knowledge acquisition, are not sharply identified. Leaders need to ensure that all subject leaders have the knowledge and skills to conduct this evaluation and identify required improvements.
• Assessment in a few wider subjects is underdeveloped. This means that staff do not have a consistent understanding of how well pupils are learning. Leaders should ensure that assessment informs staff of how well pupils are learning the planned curriculum and that staff have the knowledge to adapt learning to take account of this.

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