Thurstaston Dawpool CofE Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 May 2025

Pupils enjoy coming to school. They are happy and safe here. Strong, respectful relationships permeate throughout the school. Pupils are delightful to talk to. They are polite, confident and, by the end of Year 6, highly articulate. The school's values are lived out in everyday school life. The school is ambitious for all pupils. In return, pupils are keen to learn and make the most of the learning opportunities afforded to them. Typically, pupils achieve well. From the time they enter the early years, routines and expectations for pupils' behaviour are firmly established. Pupils throughout the school understand what is expected of them and try their best to live up to these expectations. School is a calm space in which to learn. At school events such as sports day, pupils encourage each other and conduct themselves well, displaying a high degree of sportsmanship. There is a broad range of opportunities that extend pupils' wider development. These opportunities are available to all pupils. Lunchtime and after-school clubs enhance and develop pupils' interests and talents. Pupils eagerly take on leadership roles. Year 6 buddies support younger pupils. Trained play leaders make meaningful contributions to school life. Pupils develop their confidence and leadership skills in these valued roles. The school's work on the young leaders programme ensures that pupils engage positively with their community and gain an understanding of justice and responsibility, both locally and globally.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, the curriculum does not set out coherently the smaller components of knowledge that pupils need to learn. This makes it difficult for pupils to develop knowledge as securely as they could because they sometimes lack the necessary prior learning. The school should ensure that, in all subjects, there is clarity for staff about the smaller steps of knowledge that should be taught, and when.
• In some subjects, the school does not check in sufficient depth how well teachers deliver the curriculum. Some aspects of the curriculum are not delivered as intended. As a result, some pupils miss out on key learning, without the school being aware. The school should ensure that it establishes how well the curriculum is being delivered and that all the prescribed content is covered so that pupils' learning is maximised.

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