Motcombe CofE Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 27 June 2023

Motcombe is a happy place to be. Pupils feel well looked after and safe. They know that staff will help them if they need it. The school's vision of 'faith and friendship, learning and laughter' is central to every aspect of its work. This vision extends to many parts of school life, including during breaktimes when pupils can use the spiritual garden. Pupils are given the opportunity for self-reflection in this calming space. Leaders ensure that they have high expectations of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They behave well during lessons and at social times. They know the school's rules and what staff expect of them. Pupils have a desire to learn. They are motivated by reward systems such as the 'cosy chair'. Many parents comment that staff care deeply about pupils' happiness and well- being. They appreciate the many extra-curricular activities on offer to pupils. These include handball, rounders, choir, gardening and yoga. Pupils say that 'you don't have to be the best at sport to represent the school at a tournament'. This portrays the inclusive culture of the school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders respond swiftly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns. However, in a small number of cases, the information they record is not thorough enough. It is not clear what actions have been taken and by whom. Therefore, leaders could miss important information. Leaders must ensure that all actions taken in relation to safeguarding are clearly recorded and sufficiently detailed.
• In some wider curriculum subjects, leaders have not identified the key knowledge pupils should learn and the order in which it should be taught. As a result, some pupils do not always remember the intended learning and have gaps in their understanding. Leaders should ensure that they identify the important knowledge they want pupils to learn and the order in which to learn it so that pupils build secure knowledge over time.

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