Blackhorse Primary School

Overview

Blackhorse Primary School is described as a place where pupils arrive with "a skip in their step" and feel valued within a "highly positive culture for learning." The report highlights a "strong, pastoral approach" that effectively supports attendance and behaviour, alongside a "highly inclusive" environment where vulnerable pupils thrive. While most aspects of the school’s provision meet or exceed expected standards, there are specific areas regarding curriculum depth and assessment precision that require attention to ensure consistent high achievement.

Strengths

• Leaders maintain a "strong, pastoral approach" that rigorously analyses attendance data, resulting in improving attendance, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
• The school is "highly inclusive," with a "significant strength" in supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities through a well-established ‘Resource Base’ and targeted interventions.
• Pupils demonstrate "high levels of self-discipline and maturity," fostering a calm environment where "discriminatory behaviour is not tolerated" and bullying is rare.
• Personal development is robust, with a "comprehensive range of enrichment opportunities" in arts, music, and sport that build pupils’ confidence and sense of belonging.
• Staff are supported by a "high-quality, research-informed professional learning programme," ensuring they feel valued and equipped to meet diverse pupil needs.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure teachers use assessment data consistently to identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge across wider curriculum subjects.
• Leaders should ensure pupils build a "depth of knowledge and skills across the curriculum" so that they consistently achieve well, addressing instances where misconceptions persist.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.