Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 March 2023

Pupils are proud to attend their school. They learn well and enjoy their learning. Pupils appreciate the extensive outdoor and woodland spaces. They say this opportunity helps them to widen their understanding of nature. From the early years, children are well supported by adults to make the right choices in how they behave and treat one another. They also understand that their actions have consequences. Pupils respond well to adults' high expectations. They are kind and show respect for one another and their teachers and staff. Pupils feel and are safe. Bullying is very rare. If there are any unkind behaviours, adults are quick to sort it out. If pupils have any worries, they talk to their teachers and other adults. Pupils are encouraged to do this from a young age so they learn about managing their worries and emotions. Pupils are thoughtful and interested in their school and local community. They plan events to raise money for charities, such as supporting people affected by the war in Ukraine. Taking on responsibilities is important to pupils, especially key roles such as taking a lead in collective worship and lighting the prayer candle.

What the school should improve

• Occasionally, the activities provided to pupils who need additional support to catch up in their reading are not closely matched to the current stage of their development. This means that they are not catching up with their classmates as quickly as they could. Leaders must ensure that all interventions are precisely matched to the gaps in pupils' reading knowledge, so they catch up as quickly as possible.
• Some subject leaders are new to their role. They do not know how well pupils are achieving in the areas they lead. Leaders need to ensure that newer leaders know how to check how well pupils are achieving so they can carry out their new leadership role effectively.
• Some staff's use of ongoing formative assessment is less developed in a few areas of the curriculum. This results in pupils' knowledge and understanding being less secure in these subjects. Leaders need to ensure that all staff are able to identify and act to address weaknesses in pupils' learning effectively in all curriculum subjects. Newer subject leaders need to monitor how well pupils are faring in their curriculum areas.

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