Feniscowles Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 March 2023

Leaders and staff are ambitious for all pupils to be successful at this school. Most pupils work hard to meet the high expectations that staff have of them. Pupils strive to live up to the school values of inclusion, compassion and endeavour. Many pupils told the inspector that they were proud of the work that they had completed, even if they found this hard at first. They recognise that the positive support from staff helps them to achieve well over time. Pupils benefit from positive relationships with staff. Pupils are confident that staff will listen to their concerns. This helps pupils feel happy and safe at school. Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils behave well with many pupils regularly displaying good manners. There are systems in place to identify bullying. If bullying should happen, leaders deal with it quickly. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from a range of opportunities that take place outside of the classroom. Members of the school council organise fundraising events for charities. Some pupils take part in public speaking events and are members of the debate club. These opportunities help to develop pupils' character, including their self-confidence and empathy.

What the school should improve

• In one or two subjects, leaders have not considered how some of the key knowledge that children learn in the early years is effectively built upon in the Year 1 curriculum. Consequently, pupils repeat some concepts in Year 1 that they have learned in the Reception Year. They do not deepen their body of subject knowledge as well as they should. In these subjects, leaders should ensure that the Year 1 curriculum effectively builds on what children have learned in the early years.
• In a small number of subjects, leaders have not assured themselves that the curriculum is being delivered as intended. Moreover, some teachers lack the subject knowledge they need to deliver these subject curriculums effectively. As a result, some pupils do not achieve as well as they should in these subjects. Leaders should ensure that these subject curriculums are delivered as intended and that teachers have the subject knowledge that they need to deliver the curriculum content effectively.

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