Rivacre Valley Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 October 2022

Pupils and children enjoy attending Rivacre Valley Primary School. There is a warm welcome for them each morning. Staff greet pupils, parents and carers as they arrive at school. Pupils walk into classrooms with smiles on their faces. They feel safe and well cared for by staff. Pupils know that if they have any worries, there is someone who will help them. Pupils, including children in the early years, are polite and respectful. They are proud of their school. Pupils behave well in lessons, when moving around the school and at breaktimes. They look after each other. They trust that if bullying should happen, staff would deal with it quickly. Leaders have high aspirations for pupils. They have designed a curriculum that motivates pupils so that they want to know more. Pupils enjoy their lessons and work hard. They are keen to talk about their learning. In most subjects, they have a deep knowledge of the things that they learn. Pupils progress well through the curriculum. Children in the early years get off to a flying start. The needs and learning of children are the driving force behind the interesting activities that staff provide for them. As a result, children achieve exceptionally well. They are very well prepared for Year 1.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, leaders have not ensured that teachers are clear about the most important knowledge that pupils should learn. Therefore, there are times when pupils do not acquire the knowledge that they need to build a solid foundation for subsequent learning. Leaders should ensure that, in these subjects, teachers are clear about the knowledge that pupils should learn and when this content should be delivered.
• Some aspects of the personal development curriculum are not delivered as well as they should be. This means that some pupils are not informed well about certain aspects of the wider world, such as other cultures and religions. Leaders should ensure that staff afford sufficient time and prominence to all aspects of the personal development curriculum. This will help to ensure that pupils are prepared well for life in modern Britain.

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