Eltham Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 November 2022

Parents and carers are full of praise for the school. They talk about how well staff nurture and support their children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils enjoy school. One reason for this is that leaders have made sure that strong relationships are at the heart of its work. Staff take every opportunity to encourage pupils. They help them learn to manage their emotions and cope with the challenges of growing up. Pupils know that adults are there for them. Pupils are kept safe and well. Staff teach pupils about what makes people and their families different. Leaders organise events such as 'show racism the red card'. They carefully choose books, so that pupils learn about different cultures and religions. Leaders do this at the same time as celebrating the school's own faith. All this work combines to mean that pupils respect each other's backgrounds and are kind to one another. Incidents of bullying or discrimination are extremely rare. Leaders' high expectations mean that pupils learn the importance of routines, listening and working hard, right from Nursery. Pupils respond to these expectations. They behave exceptionally well.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, the knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn are not identified with enough precision. In a few others, leaders are reviewing the scope of the curriculum. As a result, pupils have not built up a deep body of knowledge and skills. Leaders need to review their curriculum thinking in these subjects, being clear on the vital knowledge that they want pupils to know and remember, right from the early years.
• Occasionally, when staff listen to weaker pupils reading, they do not make sure that pupils take maximum opportunity to use their phonics. Consequently, sometimes weaker readers, including those in Years 2 and 3, are not being supported in developing fluency as well as they could. Leaders need to refine their training and sharpen their monitoring of this work.

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