Greenfield CofE VC Lower School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 February 2024

Pupils are positive about their experiences at this school. They are motivated to learn, persevere and work hard. Pupils are determined to earn 'smilies' or a leaf for the 'values tree'. They listen carefully and act immediately on teachers' advice. Pupils like answering the 'big question' in topics. As a result, they are successful learners. Pupils display high levels of respect and empathy. They follow the school's rules and values consistently well. Older pupils relish being positive role models and play friends. All pupils mix happily and safely together. They like the sense of community this creates. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They learn in calm and well-ordered lessons. Pupils know what is expected of them and conform to this. Incidents of poor behaviour are rare and effectively addressed. Pupils appreciate how staff listen to them and deal straight away with any concerns. Pupils have the chance to be on the school council, in the choir, to run class worship or to be a hall monitor. Pupils love to read. They enjoy how the curriculum is brought to life, such as through an Ancient Egyptian Day or a visit to the zoo or to church. Year 4 pupils develop teamwork on their residential trip. Extra-curricular sports clubs are popular.

What the school should improve

• Staff are still getting used to some of the updated curriculum expectations, and so there are occasions when the curriculum is not taught as well as leaders intend. This means that in some subjects, some pupils are not yet taught knowledge in the detail or depth desired or always build well enough on prior learning. The school needs to ensure that all staff have the subject knowledge School 3 and pedagogical support to deliver the ambitious curriculum aims fully and confidently.
• Checks on what pupils know are not used precisely enough to inform pupils' next steps in learning. This means that there are missed opportunities for some pupils, including pupils with SEND and in early years, to extend their learning further or have gaps filled more quickly. Staff need to ensure that they use checks on learning precisely to meet the specific needs in their class. Leaders need to check that this happens so that all pupils achieve what they are fully capable of.

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