Dawlish Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 April 2023

Pupils, staff and parents and carers are delighted to be a part of the school family. They see it as a warm, caring second home, where everyone is looked after. Staff know the pupils and families well. There is a true spirit of community here. Leaders have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils are polite, friendly and respectful to each other. They enjoy playing with their friends in the school's spacious play areas. Pupils listen well to teachers. They follow instructions and behave well. Bullying is rare. When it does happen, leaders deal with it swiftly and it does not reoccur. Pupils feel safe here. Pupils take an active part in the life of the school. They are enthusiastic about the opportunities they have to become leaders in school and good citizens in the community. For example, as members of the 'Nature Squad', pupils help to look after a local community garden. Leaders are ambitious for pupils' academic and personal development. Teachers enhance pupils' learning through outings to museums and places of worship. Pupils take part in clubs such as fencing, cricket, coding and sewing during their time at the school.

What the school should improve

• On occasions, staff's subject knowledge is not secure. This leads to inconsistencies in how well the intended curriculum is implemented. Sometimes, teaching does not deepen pupils' deeper knowledge effectively. This includes pupils losing focus when activities lack purpose. Leaders should ensure that staff have training to develop their subject knowledge and expertise, so that they deliver the planned curriculum content in each subject consistently well.

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