Richard Alibon Primary School with ARP for Cognitive and Learning Difficulties : SEN Base

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 July 2023

This is a school where pupils work incredibly hard to reach the expectations leaders have for their behaviour and learning. Staff and pupils treat each other with respect and kindness. Pupils conduct themselves very well in class, around the school and during social times. Pupils know staff will take the time to listen to them if they have a worry, and this means they feel happy and safe. Leaders provide many opportunities for pupils to take on positions of responsibility. This includes acting as members of the 'safety squad' and 'RAPS'. RAPS are older pupils who support younger pupils to play well together during social times. Leaders value pupils' opinions. They provide opportunities for pupils to debate and consider the views of others. For example, pupils discuss philosophical questions, such as whether we are ever truly equal. These experiences help pupils to develop their own ideas and share their opinions. Pupils enjoy the wide range of enrichment activities on offer. These are deliberately designed to broaden their horizons and extend learning. For example, pupils across the school learn Mandarin and learn about Chinese culture. Older pupils can visit China so they can apply their learning.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, pupils struggle to remember key knowledge, skills and vocabulary. This is because the curriculum is sometimes not as effectively sequenced as it could be and because leaders and teachers do not have effective processes in place to check what has been taught, learned and remembered. This means that pupils have gaps in their learning. Leaders need to ensure that the curriculum is sequenced effectively and that there are processes in place to check what has been remembered over time.

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