Penwortham Middleforth Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 April 2023

Pupils, including children in the early years, come through the school gates with real enthusiasm in the morning. They are eager and ready to start their day at school. They feel part of a welcoming and happy community. Warm relationships between pupils and staff are evident across the school. Parents and carers appreciate the care and support that staff provide to their children. Parents typically said that staff go out of their way to ensure that their children are happy, safe and that they achieve well. Pupils respond well to the high expectations that leaders have for their learning. This means that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well in many subjects across the curriculum. Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils treat each other and staff with respect. Pupils behave well and lessons are rarely disturbed. This allows pupils to work without interruption. On the rare occasions that bullying occur, leaders deal with it quickly and effectively. Leaders have provided many opportunities for pupils to take part in enrichment opportunities, such as netball, singing and nurture club. Pupils also benefit from various outdoor learning experiences. During the inspection, pupils were excited to have swimming lessons in an impressive pool set up on the playground. Pupils readily assume positions of responsibility, for example, as buddies for younger children or as members of the school parliament.

What the school should improve

• In a very small number of foundation subjects, leaders are still refining their curriculum design. As a result, some pupils struggle to make links back to their prior learning. Leaders should continue to refine new curriculums, ensuring that explicit links to prior learning are embedded.

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