Shiremoor Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 November 2023

Shiremoor School sets high expectations for all pupils. Staff encourage pupils to think about future careers. This inspires pupils to do their best so that they can achieve their ambitions. Pupils enjoy coming to school and are enthusiastic learners. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Positive learning behaviours begin to be taught from children's first days in Nursery class. Throughout school, staff ensure that pupils new to school settle into routines quickly. Pupils learn how to take turns and respect one another. There is a working buzz in classrooms as pupils focus on their work. Throughout school, pupils are kind and considerate. All pupils spoken to say that they feel safe and happy in school. Pupils access a rich curriculum that celebrates the heritage and the people of the region. The educational visits, linked to the subjects being studied, help in bringing the topics to life for pupils. For example, visiting Lindisfarne gives pupils an understanding of the Anglo-Saxons and how they lived. The visits contribute strongly to pupils knowing more and remembering more about history. Pupils enjoy contributing to community events, such as Shiremoor Treat. They relish performing songs and dance to pupils from other schools.

What the school should improve

• There are some differences in how rapidly pupils in certain cohorts are learning phonics. This means that some pupils in key stage 2 do not read fluently. The school should further develop its existing strategies to ensure that pupils who need to catch up quickly with their peers in phonics do so.
• The school does not ensure that the pupils' understanding of fundamental British values and the protected characteristics is sufficiently well developed. Some pupils have a limited understanding of British values and the protected characteristics and why these make a difference to everyday life. Leaders should ensure that the curriculum provides pupils with the necessary opportunities to further develop their understanding of British values and the protected characteristics.
• There is variation between the early years classes in the delivery of language-rich activities. This means that some children are not having exposure to high-quality language interactions. The school should ensure that all children in early years have well-planned, language-rich learning opportunities.

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