Prospect Vale Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 July 2023

Prospect Vale Primary School is a friendly school community where everyone values and celebrates people's differences. Positive relationships between staff and pupils and among pupils are evident throughout the school. Pupils treat each other with kindness and consideration. They are happy and feel safe. Leaders' records show that they deal effectively with any incidents of bullying. Leaders set high expectations for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils know that it is important to work hard and to behave well. Most pupils rise to leaders' high expectations of them. In lessons, they work well together. At breaktimes, they play happily together. Most pupils, including children in the early years, achieve well across a range of subjects. Leaders provide a range of opportunities for pupils to develop their leadership skills and their confidence. For example, pupils carry out a range of roles with meaningful responsibilities, such as being sports ambassadors or Pupil Parliament representatives. Pupils also take an active part in charitable work. They value supporting causes within and beyond their school community. Pupils take part in activities which allow them to pursue their interests and talents. For example, they enjoy developing their skills by attending baking, recorder and chess clubs. They enjoy 'making memories magical' through the trips and visits they experience linked to their learning. They told the inspector about visits to a castle, a beach and Jodrell Bank.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, teachers do not plan enough opportunities for pupils to revisit and strengthen their previous learning. This means that in these subjects, some pupils' learning is not as secure as it should be. Leaders should ensure that teachers provide pupils with enough time to consolidate their knowledge of the curriculum in all subjects.
• In some subjects, when monitoring the impact of the curriculum, subject leaders do not focus sharply enough on how well pupils are learning important subject content. This means that leaders sometimes lack a detailed understanding of the effectiveness of the curriculum. Subject leaders should ensure that they keep a sharp focus on how well staff teach important aspects of the curriculum so that they can ascertain whether teaching enables pupils to remember key knowledge, concepts and vocabulary.
• Channels of communication have not been consistently effective or clear. As a result, some parents do not feel that leaders keep them informed of important aspects of their children's education and school life. Leaders, including governors, should ensure that they work closely with all stakeholders to improve communication.

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