Great Arley School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 April 2024

Pupils are proud ambassadors for their school. They are kind and polite, and thrive due to the positive relationships that they have with the staff, who look after them well. In the early years, children settle in quickly. They make a positive start to their education. Pupils are happy. All pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school has high aspirations for their achievement and conduct. They achieve well. Pupils make the most of the opportunities that the school provides for them to develop their talents and interests. These include activities such as the school band, drawing and sports. They become confident and independent young people. As school councillors, pupils take an active role in improving the school. Digital leaders help their peers to develop their understanding of how to stay safe online. Pupils raise money for a variety of local and national charities. They show a high degree of care for others. Pupils take part in a wide range of trips that help them to deepen their understanding of the wider world and the subjects that they study. For example, they visit museums, a library and a zoo and go on residential trips to take part in adventurous activities.

What the school should improve

• On occasion, the school does not promptly address the gaps that some pupils have in their phonics knowledge. When this happens, these pupils struggle to segment and blend sounds independently, and this prevents them from becoming confident and fluent readers. The school should ensure that staff receive the support that they need to implement the phonics curriculum effectively so that pupils are well prepared for the reading demands of the next stage in their education.

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