Gamesley Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 April 2023

Pupils are very proud that they attend this happy and welcoming school. One pupil told inspectors, 'Whatever your background, everyone is treated with respect.' Pupils like to walk Maggie, the school dog, and like the many after-school clubs on offer. Staff have high expectations of pupils. Pupils are aspirational and want to achieve. They told inspectors that they want to travel the world, be archaeologists, be doctors and be ballerinas. Pupils enjoy making a positive contribution to the life of the school. They like being house captains and playground pals. Relationships between pupils and adults are very positive. There is a purposeful working atmosphere throughout the school. Pupils behave well. They are well- mannered. They care for each other. Pupils understand diversity and equality. Pupils are kept safe and trust adults to deal with any issues that arise. Pupils know that bullying is not allowed. Most parents and carers are delighted with the school. One parent, typical of many, said: 'I know my child is safe and happy at school. I go to work knowing that all the staff care for and look after my child.' Parents like the way that staff deal quickly with any concerns they may have. They appreciate the way that staff are approachable.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, leaders' curriculum thinking is not as well refined or sufficiently embedded as it is in the core subjects. This means that pupils' learning does not build on the knowledge they already have to enable them to know and remember more. Leaders should ensure that their curriculums are fully refined and embedded, so that pupils know and remember more in all subjects.
• In some subjects, the delivery of the curriculum does not focus sufficiently enough on supporting pupils to understand and remember important knowledge. Checks on what pupils know and understand are, at times, not linked closely to what leaders and teachers expect pupils to learn. In some instances, pupils remember activities, rather than the building blocks of knowledge needed for future learning. Leaders need to support teachers to implement the curriculum in a way that enables pupils to grasp and recall essential knowledge securely and over the long term.

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