Plaistow and Kirdford Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 January 2025

Pupils are happy at this nurturing school. They love the school's focus on learning in the outdoors. Staff teach pupils about life beyond the school thoughtfully, such as learning about deforestation, and how to care for nature and the environment. Staff use the school's woods and pond areas effectively to help pupils learn about topics such as plants and healthy eating. Pupils said, 'We learn how to make sure that everyone is included and how to treat people well.' Pupils are polite and courteous towards each other and staff. The school is generally a calm and purposeful environment. During break and lunch times pupils take turns, share and play happily. Older pupils value their roles as 'buddies' for the younger ones. Staff have very positive relationships with pupils which helps to build a supportive school culture. The school does not have high enough expectations for what pupils can achieve across the full curriculum, including in the early years. In some subject areas, including mathematics, phonics and early reading, some pupils do not develop their knowledge and understanding securely. As a result, some pupils do not achieve as well as they should by the end of Reception and key stage 2.

What the school should improve

• In the early years, staff do not implement the school's approach to teaching phonics, early reading and a broad vocabulary effectively enough. As a result, some children are not as fluent in their reading, nor have a broad enough vocabulary to ensure they are ready for Year 1. The school should ensure that children acquire the foundational knowledge they need for future success in their learning.
• At times, staff do not check what pupils know and can do effectively, including in the early years. This means that some pupils, in some subjects, carry errors and misconceptions through their lessons and do not learn as well as they should. The school needs to ensure that staff identify and address pupils' errors and misconceptions effectively so that pupils build their learning across the curriculum securely over time
• Some staff do not adapt learning systematically, and effectively for pupils with SEND. This means that some pupils with SEND do not achieve as well as they should. The school should ensure that all staff have the skills they need to adapt learning effectively so that pupils with SEND achieve the best possible outcomes.

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