Dunnington CofE Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 May 2024

Dunnington Primary School is a friendly and inclusive place. Pupils enjoy attending and appreciate the wide range of experiences they have at school. These include interesting trips to enhance learning and a wealth of after-school clubs that develop pupils' talents and interests. Many pupils enjoy learning to play a range of musical instruments and enjoy singing in the school's choir. Pupils benefit from learning in the forest school. It is an exciting and valued part of the school's provision. Pupils know who to talk to about any concerns they may have and appreciate the care adults give them. As a result, pupils are happy and safe. However, the school's expectations of pupils' behaviour are sometimes too low. Consequently, some pupils do not show enough respect towards others. At times, this leads to learning being disrupted. Pupils say that bullying sometimes happens, but they are confident that staff will deal with it. The school's curriculum is not as carefully thought out and structured as it should be. As a result, pupils experience variability in the quality of education they receive and do not achieve as well as they should. The school is reviewing many aspects of its curriculum and is committed to getting it right for pupils.

What the school should improve

• The school's intended curriculum improvements in several subjects have not been fully implemented yet. Consequently, some pupils do not learn as well as they should and have gaps in their knowledge. The school should ensure that revised curriculum plans are implemented effectively and evaluated to ensure that pupils achieve well across the curriculum.
• Some staff do not make appropriate adaptations for pupils with SEND to help them learn well. In addition, targets on pupils' individual learning plans lack clarity. As a result, some pupils with SEND do not achieve as well as they should. The school should ensure that teachers are clear about specific learning targets and adapt activities when needed so pupils with SEND achieve well.
• Some staff do not apply the school's behaviour policy with the agreed consistency. When this happens, there is disruption to learning and pupils do not achieve as well as they should. The school should ensure that staff have the same high expectations for pupils' behaviour. They should also ensure that staff consistently apply the agreed approaches to managing behaviour so that learning is not disrupted.
• Communication between the school and home is not as effective as it could be. Some parents and carers do not feel fully informed about their child's learning or changes taking place at the school. The school should ensure that it improves communication between school and home so that parents are kept fully informed.

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