Gretton Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 February 2024

The school is coming out of an unsettled time. There have been many changes to staffing, including a new leadership team and headteacher. The new leadership has a determined and ambitious vision. The school's vision to 'aim high' encapsulates the ethos of the school well. However, while pupils learn effectively in core subjects, they do not learn as successfully in the wider curriculum. The school has high expectations for all pupils. As a result, pupils' behaviour has improved. Their conduct reflects the school's values well. Pupils enjoy the rewards they receive in Friday celebration assemblies, such as the 'Gold Book' awards. These help to inspire and motivate pupils. Pupils enjoy school. They value the friendly environment within this small village school. They know that there are adults and children who look out for them. As a result, pupils feel safe. Pupils enjoy taking on leadership roles such as the school council and happiness heroes. School councillors are proud to have a say in how to improve the school. Older pupils relish being able to help younger children through the school's 'Big Friends, Little Friends' scheme. This gives them a sense of responsibility. Pupils enjoy attending a wide range of after-school clubs. These include football, multi-sports, mindfulness and the 'books and biscuits' club. These help pupils to develop their talents and interests.

What the school should improve

• Staff do not always deliver the phonics curriculum effectively. As a result, some pupils do not learn the phonics code as rapidly as they could. The school should ensure that all teachers have the necessary skills to support pupils in their phonics learning.
• In some subjects in the wider curriculum, staff do not have sufficient subject knowledge and understanding of curriculum development. Learning activities do not enable pupils to learn new knowledge effectively. Consequently, pupils do not build a secure understanding. The school must ensure staff have the training they need to support all pupils to learn effectively across the curriculum.
• As many subject leaders are new in their role and many systems are recent, the school has not yet checked that the curriculum is implemented as intended. As a result, the wider curriculum does not have the impact leaders intend. For example, assessment is not effective in the wider curriculum. As a result, pupils do not build their learning well over time. The school must strengthen subject leadership and the use of assessment so that pupils know and remember more in the longer term.

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