Fellside Community Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 May 2022

Fellside Community Primary School is a safe and caring place to learn. Pupils have exceptional attitudes to learning and are highly motivated. Leaders and teachers help pupils to understand what it means to be a good citizen in a diverse world. Pupils are respectful and value the views of their friends. They have an excellent understanding of world faiths. The school has recently achieved the national Career Mark. Older pupils have a strong understanding of future career paths. Leaders prioritise pupils' physical and emotional health. Staff support pupils to build resilience and manage their emotions extremely well. A 'friendship' programme helps pupils to build positive relationships. An extensive extra-curricular programme is available for all pupils that includes little rugby, tennis, football, cricket and athletics. Pupils take part in a range of sporting fixtures and were proud to become Tyne and Wear hockey champions. Pupils' behaviour is outstanding. Relationships in class and on the playground are extremely positive. Pupils say that bullying is not part of their school 'because it would not fit with their character compass'. Pupils care for and support the well- being of other pupils. The understand the importance of being 'a good egg'.

What the school should improve

• The teaching of phonics is variable and lacks consistency. Some staff do not model learning effectively. The books that some pupils read do not match closely to the sounds that they know. As a result, in some sessions, pupils do not receive the support they need to catch up quickly. Leaders should ensure that all staff have the subject knowledge necessary to deliver the phonics programme with consistency and that this is monitored effectively.
• In some subjects, teachers do not use assessment consistently to find out what pupils know and can remember. Some assessments do not link directly with the taught curriculum. This means that learning moves on before some pupils have embedded essential subject knowledge. Leaders should ensure that there is a consistent approach to assessment, as part of the learning process, that links closely with the 'sticky knowledge' for each subject.

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