Mill Lane Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 May 2023

This is a school where all pupils are welcomed and cared for. Leaders ensure that pupils develop 'leadership, organisation, resilience, initiative and communication' in everything that they do. Leaders have high expectations of pupils' behaviour and achievement. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and pupils who speak English as an additional language. Pupils are positive about their learning. They are keen to work hard in lessons. Pupils start the morning with a free 'Magic Breakfast' in their classrooms. They look after each other and work hard to ensure everyone is treated with respect. This is demonstrated through pupils' good behaviour around the school. 'Playground Friends' support younger pupils in the school to encourage them to try out new play equipment and games. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe. Pupils are taught about different types of bullying. Pupils have a strong sense of right and wrong. They feel confident to tell a member of staff if they are worried about anything. Bullying is rare. Leaders deal with it appropriately. Pupils learn about equality, fairness and the importance of respecting cultural differences. Leaders and staff are determined to prepare pupils to be responsible citizens of the future. Many pupils enjoy taking on the responsibility of being a member of the school council.

What the school should improve

• In a few foundation subjects, including history, the activities that teachers set for pupils do not sufficiently reflect the ambitious content of the intended curriculum. This means that some pupils do not always learn as well as they could. Leaders need to make sure they continue to support teachers to ensure learning activities match the aims of the curriculum.
• Some older pupils at the early stages of learning to read do not read from books that match their phonic knowledge. This means that some pupils do not develop reading fluency and confidence quickly enough. Leaders should make sure that these pupils are given books that are well matched to their phonic knowledge.
• Some pupils do not attend school often enough. These pupils do not benefit as well as they could from their education. Leaders need to continue to take action to reduce persistent absence.

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