Oliver Goldsmith Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 May 2022

The school is at the heart of its community and pupils really enjoy coming here. Pupils behave well. They are confident that staff will listen to them if they have any concerns. Pupils are taught about the different forms of bullying. They said that it is rare and that they know they can speak with staff if they have any concerns. Staff deal effectively with any incidents that do arise. Staff and leaders have high expectations for all. They have developed the curriculum to ensure that their aims for pupils' learning are both clear and ambitious. Pupils work hard to achieve these goals. Typically, they learn well in a wide range of subjects and know that their teachers want the best for them. Pupils feel safe and well cared for. Leaders know the risks that some pupils may face. They ensure that all pupils are taught to keep themselves safe. Pupils spoke highly about the school's inclusive culture. They described how the achievements of all pupils are celebrated. Pupils also like the special curriculum events that leaders organise for them. For example, they were particularly excited about the celebrations planned for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Pupils also very much enjoy taking part in the 'international evening', where pupils and families share traditions from their cultures and communities.

What the school should improve

• The changes that leaders have made to the way that some subjects are planned and taught are recent. In some instances, what pupils are taught does not match up fully with leaders' curricular thinking. This reduces how successfully pupils are able to deepen their knowledge over time. Leaders need to strengthen the way in which staff implement the planned curriculum so that pupils can build on their prior knowledge as they move through the school. Leaders' work should include further developing the role of subject leaders, including their oversight of how effectively the planned curriculum is taught.
• Some staff are still becoming familiar with the new phonics programme. Overall, the programme is taught well, but some teaching is not as precisely matched to the programme's expectations as it could be. Leaders should provide staff with further training to strengthen the school's work to ensure that all pupils learn to read confidently and fluently.

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