Pokesdown Community Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 July 2024

At Pokesdown Community Primary School, each day gets off to a positive start. Dedicated leaders greet pupils as they arrive. This caring and welcoming start sets the tone for the rest of the school day. Staff take every opportunity to make learning engaging and purposeful. This helps pupils flourish academically and socially. High-quality displays of pupils' learning are evident throughout the school. They reflect the pride that pupils take in their work. Pupils behave remarkably well. They are kind to staff and one another. If they have concerns, pupils feel confident talking to adults. For example, they can visit the 'Beach Hut' and learn strategies to manage their emotions. This makes for a safe place to learn. The school provides a multitude of experiences to broaden pupils' interests and improve their physical health. Organised sports games at lunchtime are a favourite. An abundance of extra-curricular activities goes far beyond the norm. These include fashion design, cooking with a chef and country dancing. Pupils say, 'There is a club for everyone to discover what they want to do'. The school makes certain that disadvantaged pupils never miss out. All of this work contributes to an inclusive and aspirational approach for all.

What the school should improve

• In some of the wider curriculum subjects, assessment is not used with enough precision to check what pupils know and remember over time. As a result, some pupils struggle to recall the essential knowledge they have learned before. The school needs to ensure that it uses assessment effectively to check on pupils' understanding over time and to inform future learning.

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