Dell Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 30 June 2026

Pupils typically enjoy coming to school and attend regularly. They arrive positively in the mornings and quickly settle. Pupils benefit from the school’s core values. These include respect, passion, collaboration and integrity. These values help shape the daily life of the school and are central to maintaining a positive learning environment. Staff establish positive relationships with pupils. This helps them to feel safe and confident and included in the daily life of the school. Pupils behave well in lessons and at social times. Clear routines and expectations help pupils understand what is expected of them. Pupils understand what bullying is because it is discussed regularly. When concerns do arise, pupils are confident that staff deal with them promptly. Pupils typically learn a broad and balanced curriculum. Recent improvements in writing and mathematics are beginning to strengthen pupils’ learning. However, some variation in teaching means that pupils continue to have gaps in their knowledge, particularly in writing. This means that they do not build as securely on their prior learning as they could. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, disadvantaged pupils and those who face additional barriers to learning are supported well. Staff provide step-by-step support, following the school’s ‘the way we do things here’ guidance. Additional personalised support is provided for pupils who have additional barriers to their learning. Pupils are appropriately prepared for life in modern Britain. They speak confidently about fairness, equality and democracy. For example, they explain how the elections for pupil leadership roles ensure that everyone has a voice. Pupils also benefit from wider experiences, such as careers week, mental health day, residential visits and the ‘Dell experience'. Additionally, the school's pupil parliament organises school events and competitions such as ‘which class could grow the longest carrot’. These fun opportunities further help pupils to develop their teamwork and determination skills.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure the curriculum is adapted more precisely across subjects so that pupils, including those with higher prior attainment, build securely on prior learning.
• Leaders should strengthen staff expertise across the curriculum so that all subjects are taught effectively. This includes the teaching of pupils to develop secure handwriting skills and ensure they receive timely support where needed so that they write fluently and accurately.
• Leaders should ensure that recent improvements in writing and mathematics are embedded consistently so that pupils achieve well by the end of key stage 2.

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