Daresbury Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 March 2023

Daresbury Primary is a happy and welcoming school. Pupils feel cared for and safe. They said that staff know them well. Pupils described, with enthusiasm, the many things that they like about their school, especially the friends that they make. Year 6 pupils are proud to be buddies to children in the early years. Leaders address any instances of bullying swiftly. Pupils' behaviour in class reflects leaders' high expectations and the school's values. Staff support pupils to build their confidence and independence. Pupils are polite, respectful and caring towards each other and adults. They strive to be 'kind, safe and ready' as staff expect. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils to achieve well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). In the main, pupils achieve well. Pupils make great strides in their personal development during their time at the school. They enjoy the trips and visits that capture their interest and support their learning. Pupils are proud to take on leadership opportunities such as being digital leaders, science ambassadors, members of the school council or becoming the school president, vice president or secretary. They are proud of their recent fundraising work for Turkey and Syria.

What the school should improve

• The new phonics curriculum is at an early stage of implementation. Staff are still in the process of building their confidence and expertise in delivering the new approach. Leaders should further support staff to deliver the new phonics curriculum confidently and consistently well.
• Training and support for leaders of some subjects are at an early stage. As a result, some subject leaders lack the necessary skills and confidence to drive further improvements in their subjects. Senior leaders, governors and trustees should provide these curriculum leaders with further training and support so they are equipped to lead their curriculum areas effectively.
• In some subjects, staff are at an early stage of implementing the school's recently refined curriculums. This means that pupils are at an early stage of developing the knowledge that they need in these subjects. Leaders should ensure that staff are supported to teach all aspects of these subject curriculums consistently well so that pupils are able to apply what they know in these subjects as confidently and independently as they do in other curriculum subjects.

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