Great Barford Church of England Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 September 2022

Pupils speak with pride about their school. They know that learning is important and live up to leaders' high expectations by working hard in lessons. Pupils are articulate and speak enthusiastically about what they are learning. Pupils bring the best out of each other and, in line with the school's aim, 'grow together through learning, friendship and worship'. They work well together in lessons and help each other when they find something tricky to learn. They also care for each other's needs around the school. On the playground, pupils look for those on their own and invite them to play so that nobody feels lonely or without friends. Pupils told us, and school records show, that bullying is rare and dealt with effectively by staff so that it stops. When pupils fall out with friends, adults help to find positive solutions and restore their relationship. Pupils are determined to do well in school. They have high expectations for themselves and value their own and others' achievements. Older pupils have impressive plans for the future and speak confidently about starting secondary school.

What the school should improve

• Teachers do not always provide the support that leaders expect for pupils with SEND. When this happens, some pupils with SEND do not learn as much as they could. Leaders must ensure that teachers have the necessary training to implement the guidance for supporting pupils with SEND effectively so that all pupils achieve well.
• When evaluating the quality of the curriculum, trustees do not pay sufficient attention to subjects other than English and mathematics. As a result, trustees do not know enough about the quality of the provision in those areas to enable them to hold leaders strictly to account. Trustees must ensure that they understand the quality of the whole curriculum at the school.

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