Mereside Church of England Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 March 2024

Mereside is a caring and supportive school that puts the pupils first. Pupils say that teachers are kind and help them to learn. They say that love is a key value of the school. There are strong and trusting relationships between adults and pupils. Community, wisdom, hope, dignity, joy and peace are all celebrated. Pupils enjoy earning heart pin badges for being values champions. Many parents and carers are positive about the school and appreciate how staff care for and support their children. New leaders who are supported well by the academy trust have made significant and positive changes to many aspects of the school. They have set high expectations for pupils. The school has strengthened its behaviour systems. Pupils have responded well to this. They behave well in class and around school. They enjoy the activities that are provided by sports coaches when on the playground. Pupils enjoy learning in school. They talk keenly about their recent learning. However, in some subjects, they do not remember important knowledge that has been taught over time. Pupils learn the importance of treating others fairly and with respect. As one pupil said, 'Everyone is different and we should celebrate this. It would be boring if we were all the same.'

What the school should improve

• Not all staff are experts in delivering the school's phonics programme. Consequently, there is some inconsistency in how well the early reading curriculum is delivered. This means that some pupils do not make as much progress as they could with their reading. The school should ensure that all staff receive the necessary support to teach phonics effectively.
• In some subjects the activities provided do not always help all pupils to learn and remember what has been delivered over time. As a result, some pupils do not remember as much as they could. Leaders should ensure that staff provide activities which support pupils to remember more across the curriculum.
• Teachers do not always adapt learning well for pupils with SEND in some subjects. Consequently, pupils with SEND do not make as much progress as they could in these subjects. The school should ensure that work for pupils with SEND is closely matched to fully meet pupils' needs to help them to learn more.
• Recently, there have been significant changes to the governance of the school. Some governors are new to their role or have been recently appointed. As a result, governors are still developing a secure understanding of the effectiveness of the school and its curriculum. Governors should continue to develop their role so that they hold leaders fully to account for the school's performance.

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