St Thomas More Primary School, Belmont

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 February 2023

Pupils are happy and safe at this school. Parents speak positively about the school's caring, friendly and welcoming ethos. The headteacher and staff go the extra mile to ensure that the school's high expectations are realised. The basics in reading and mathematics are carefully planned and taught. As a result, pupils achieve well in these subjects. In other subjects, such as history, and art and design, leaders have improved the school's planning and developed staff's expertise. This has further enhanced how effectively pupils are taught in these subjects. In the early years, children quickly learn the school's routines and how to socialise with one another. Pupils are attentive and hard-working in lessons. They socialise well at playtimes and lunchtimes. Older pupils demonstrate kindnesses and care for their younger peers. Incidents of bullying are extremely rare. Staff take any incidents very seriously. Pupils are confident that teachers will help them with any concerns. Pupils' personal development is a strength of the school. In the early years, staff develop children's independence in a sensitive manner. Pupils have opportunities to take on a range of responsibilities. Staff teach pupils about important environmental issues. The school's values of 'family, aspiration and love' are evident in all that the school does.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not completed the revision of planning, and the associated checks on pupils' learning, in some foundation subjects. Where this is the case, subject planning and checks on pupils' learning are not as strong. Leaders should continue with their structured approach to the revision of planning and checks on pupils' learning in some foundation subjects.
• Sometimes teachers' adaptations to pupils' tasks and the use of suitable resources are not fully meeting the needs of pupils with SEND. At times, this can reduce the success that these pupils have and slows their learning. Leaders need to ensure that staff receive further training to ensure there are consistent approaches to adapting the teaching of pupils with SEND.
• Leaders have begun to revise the planning for early years, taking account of the recent addition of nursery provision. At present, leaders' revision of planning to secure a smooth transition through early years and to begin learning in Year 1 is not fully completed. Leaders should continue with their plans to refine and embed the planned sequence of learning from Nursery into Year 1.

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