Asterdale Primary School

Overview

Asterdale Primary School provides a high-quality education where pupils are “valued, respected and known well by staff.” Leaders have driven “rapid improvement” since the last inspection, establishing a “positive and inclusive culture” with strong attendance and behaviour. While most aspects of the school meet or exceed expected standards, there are specific areas in curriculum delivery and personal development that require further refinement.

Strengths

• Attendance and behaviour are rated at a “Strong standard,” with “persistent absence is low” and pupils behaving “consistently well” in a “calm, orderly and supportive environment.”
• Early years provision is “Strong,” offering an “ambitious and coherently sequenced curriculum” where children “thrive” and are well-prepared for Year 1.
• Inclusion is rated “Strong,” with leaders demonstrating “high aspiration” and providing “highly effective practice” that ensures pupils with additional needs “develop independence” and achieve well.
• Leadership and governance are “Strong,” with leaders who “meticulously monitor the curriculum” and governors who “hold leaders to account” effectively.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure the curriculum is “taught consistently well in all subjects and year groups” so pupils secure necessary knowledge, as some currently “struggle to talk about their learning” in certain subjects.
• Leaders should ensure pupils understand how the school’s values link with “fundamental British values” and deepen their understanding of “different world faiths,” as current knowledge is limited.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” ensuring that “pupils are made safer and feel safe.”