Suffolks Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 July 2023

Pupils feel valued and welcome at Suffolks Primary. They comment on how much they appreciate the kind and helpful staff, who look after them so well. Pupils like many things about their school. They especially enjoy learning about the different religions, languages and cultures that exist within the school and the community. Pupils' motivation for learning is clear to see. They behave well. When a problem occurs, staff deal with it swiftly. Pupils like their 'circle times' and assemblies, where they talk about themes such as friendships and cooperation. This all starts in the early years, where children are taught to show lots of kindness to each other. For example, children shared the funnels and pipettes as they mixed coloured liquids at the water tray. They waited their turn and looked out for their friends. At lunchtimes, pupils readily help each other. They enjoy their posts of responsibility. School councillors like watching for 'marvellous' behaviour in assemblies. Others take seriously the part they play in keeping the school clean in their roles as 'recyclers'. Staff want the very best for pupils. Overall, pupils achieve well. Even though many pupils come and go at different times of the year, staff work hard to help pupils to catch up with any learning that they have missed. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn well. They are supported effectively by well- trained staff, including therapists.

What the school should improve

• In some of the foundation subjects, teachers' checks on pupils' learning do not focus on whether pupils know and remember the most important curriculum content. In these subjects, it is difficult to establish precisely what pupils know and remember. Leaders should ensure that the use of assessment helps teachers to check if pupils know and remember the most important subject content.
• In a few subjects, leaders have not identified the most important subject-specific ideas and vocabulary that pupils need to learn in each unit of work. This leads to gaps in the knowledge of some pupils. It makes it harder for them to connect ideas together and build their knowledge securely. Leaders should ensure that everyone is clear about the most important words and concepts that pupils need to know so that pupils use these accurately and their knowledge in these subjects builds securely.

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