Ashwater Primary School

Overview

Ashwater Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils are happy, well-mannered, and eager to learn. Leaders prioritise reading and ambitious curriculum goals, ensuring children develop confidence and respect for others. The school fosters a strong sense of community, with staff providing effective support and pupils engaging actively in extra-curricular activities.

Strengths

• Reading is a clear priority, with a "well-sequenced phonics curriculum" ensuring all pupils become "confident, fluent readers".
• Leaders are "ambitious for what pupils should learn", helping children use subject-specific vocabulary and speak in full sentences.
• Pupils model the ‘Carey Qualities’ to "aim high, be resilient and take care of each other", creating a calm and considerate environment.
• Staff receive "well-thought-out professional development", enabling them to present knowledge clearly and address learning gaps effectively.
• Pupils are "well prepared for life in modern Britain" through visits and interactions that broaden their understanding of different cultures and religions.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum is "not broken down into small enough steps of learning for some pupils in mixed-age classes", leading to weaker retention of knowledge.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders developing a "culture of vigilance" and ensuring staff report concerns swiftly so pupils receive necessary help.