Archibald First School

Overview

Archibald First School is described as a “warm and caring” environment where pupils are “eager to learn” and behaviour is “exemplary.” The school delivers an “ambitious and broad” curriculum that prepares pupils well for their next steps, supported by “high expectations” and strong community values.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “exemplary” behaviour and “high levels of focus and independence,” particularly in the early years.
• The curriculum is “exciting and ambitious,” with important concepts “carefully mapped out” to help pupils build knowledge over time.
• Staff are “well skilled” in supporting children’s development, including effective early identification and support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Personal development is fostered through a “carefully considered” curriculum that teaches pupils about health, equality, and “fundamental British values.”
• Parents are “overwhelmingly positive” about the care the school offers, and attendance rates are high.

Areas to improve

• In a “small number of subjects,” learning activities are not matched effectively to the intended knowledge and skills, preventing pupils from building on previous learning as effectively as they could.
• The school must ensure curriculum implementation is “fully embedded across all subjects” to enable pupils to “secure and deepen their knowledge further.”

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”