The Grove Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 January 2023

Members of the school community are justifiably proud of their belief, which states: 'everyone's welcome'. Pupils say that they feel happy and safe at school because the teachers are kind and help them learn. Parents and staff speak very warmly about the many improvements that have taken place at the school. Parents say that the school is now a 'great choice' for their children's education. Pupils' behaviour is good. They respond well to teachers' high expectations, both in lessons and around school. Classrooms are calm and purposeful. Positive relationships enable pupils to focus on their learning. Pupils who sometimes struggle to regulate their behaviour receive well-planned support. Pupils understand that bullying is wrong. They appreciate having class 'worry boxes', in which they can post notes if they feel too shy to talk about a concern. Pupils are confident that teachers deal with any issues quickly and fairly. Pupils enjoy taking on roles of responsibility, such as play leaders and 'school ambassadors'. These opportunities help pupils to develop a sense of pride and empathy. All pupils are encouraged to take part in the wide range of extra-curricular clubs that are offered, free of charge. Pupils say that they learn 'a lot' about how to eat healthily and keep fit and active.

What the school should improve

• There are some inconsistencies in how well the curriculum is implemented across the school. In some year groups, teachers do not always check pupils' misunderstandings quickly enough or deliver the planned curriculum as effectively as in the majority of the school. As a result, pupils' recall of prior learning and their ability to apply what they know to new concepts are not consistently strong. They are at risk of falling behind. Leaders should ensure that curriculum implementation is consistently strong across the school so that pupils know and remember more in all subjects.
• The individual 'student support plans' for pupils with SEND are too general. The targets that are set for pupils with SEND are not measurable, with no clear success criteria, and do not always reflect the key areas of need for a pupil. Support plans do not currently provide precise guidance for staff who work with pupils with SEND. Leaders should ensure that pupils with SEND receive well- planned, high-quality support to access the full curriculum and achieve the best possible outcomes.

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