Robertswood School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 November 2022

Pupils enjoy learning in this caring and inclusive school. They appreciate how the adults help them to become the very best version of themselves. As one pupil explained, 'We learn how to choose the right path in life.' Leaders and staff expect pupils to behave well, concentrate in lessons and try their hardest. Pupils rise to these high expectations and so they learn well. The school's 'star values' underpin the positive and respectful culture. Younger children learn to work and play together cooperatively. Pupils feel safe in school. When there are disagreements, pupils know that adults will help them to understand their differences and sort out any problems. Incidents of bullying are rare. Pupils are proud of their positions of responsibility and the impact they have. Examples include the school council fundraising for improvements to the climbing wall, house captains supporting others at playtime and the enthusiastic eco-warriors helping the school become more environmentally friendly. Leaders encourage pupils to develop their interests and talents. They provide a wide range of clubs, visits, visitors and special events which pupils, parents and carers appreciate. Leaders understand that school attendance and the support for pupils who struggle to learn to read must improve quickly.

What the school should improve

• The approach to teaching phonics is not consistently effective. Some staff lack expertise in ensuring all pupils make secure progress and in knowing how to support the weakest readers to catch up quickly. Leaders need to make sure that all staff have the knowledge and confidence to deliver the chosen phonics programme effectively.
• Some activities for children in Nursery and Reception Years do not build carefully enough on what children know or can do. Consequently, some children in the early years do not secure recently learned knowledge. Leaders need greater clarity of thinking about their intended curriculum and how to implement it, ensuring that staff understand how activities build over time and can check what children know and can do.
• Some aspects of leadership lack strong, shared policies and practice. This means that in areas such as improving school attendance, leaders do not achieve their high ambitions. Leaders should become more systematic in their approach, learning from best practice and ensuring staff follow agreed procedures diligently.

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