NCEA James Knott CofE Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 October 2024

This school has strong community links. It embodies its Christian vision to nurture pupils and to 'let their light shine'. The school has high expectations for pupils. These begin in the two-year-old provision. The curriculum from the early years to Year 6 is ambitious and meets the needs of pupils. As a result, pupils achieve well. The school has clear behaviour expectations for its pupils. The school teaches pupils to behave using three rules: be ready, be respectful, be safe. Pupils behave well. For some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), additional strategies such as the use of a calm space successfully supports transitions throughout the day. Relationships are positive and respectful between staff and pupils. Pupils play cooperatively at playtime, using the large field for team games. They are safe. The school provides pupils with information to keep themselves safe in the local area, for instance about railway safety. The school engages pupils in lessons about careers. It uses this platform to challenge gender inequality. The school makes links between its curriculum and potential future careers. For example, on a recent museum visit, pupils learned about becoming an archaeologist.

What the school should improve

• The school's systems for checking how well some subjects are taught are not fully developed. This hampers the school's ability to reflect on the quality of teaching and how to continually improve these subjects. The school should ensure that the delivery of curriculum in these subjects is monitored effectively.
• The system for assessing pupils' understanding across some subjects is in the process of being refined. In these subjects, assessment does not identify gaps in pupils' knowledge well enough. The school should ensure that their assessment procedures identify any gaps so that they can be addressed.

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