Barnoldswick Church of England Controlled Primary School

Overview

The report describes the school as a “happy, calm and friendly place to be” where pupils are “enthusiastic learners” who “achieve well.” Leaders maintain high expectations, ensuring all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, succeed and feel safe.

Strengths

• Personal development is rated Outstanding, with pupils benefiting from “exciting and interesting experiences” such as the “Wild Woods” and leadership roles.
• Reading is “placed at the heart of the school’s curriculum,” with effective phonics teaching and support helping pupils become “keen and enthusiastic readers.”
• Staff provide “effective and quick support” to help pupils falling behind catch up, while governors offer an “appropriate balance of challenge and support.”
• Pupils with SEND are “identified quickly and accurately” and receive “carefully planned support” that enables them to access the same curriculum as their peers.
• The school environment is welcoming, with pupils feeling safe and using mechanisms like “worry monsters” to share concerns with teachers.

Areas to improve

• In a few subjects, the curriculum structure “lacks some detail,” requiring leaders to identify the most important knowledge pupils need to secure.
• In some subjects, monitoring does not “focus sharply enough on how well pupils are learning important subject content,” meaning leaders sometimes lack a detailed understanding of pupil progress.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with staff receiving regular training and working closely with external agencies to protect pupils.