Bushmead Primary & Nursery School

Overview

Bushmead Primary School is described as a “welcoming, inclusive” environment where pupils are “proud to be part” of the community. The report highlights that relationships are “kind” and pupils demonstrate “positive attitudes to learning,” settling quickly to tasks with resilience. Leaders have established a curriculum that allows pupils to “revisit and build on previous learning,” resulting in most pupils achieving well and being ready for their next steps.

Strengths

• The curriculum is carefully planned, with teachers introducing new ideas “step by step” and providing resources to help pupils grasp complicated concepts.
• Phonics and early reading are taught in a “clear and logical way,” enabling most pupils to start reading “confidently and quickly.”
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities participate alongside peers, supported by “skilful adults” and well-established intervention systems.
• Behaviour is “calm” and “friendly,” with pupils showing good manners and cooperating well during lessons and breaktimes.
• Staff work well as a team, appreciating the “guidance and support of leaders” and engaging in ongoing professional development.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, staff do not introduce new vocabulary or concepts “precisely enough,” causing some pupils to miss opportunities to embed learning; leaders must provide training to address this.
• A small group of pupils are “absent from school too often,” missing important learning and social opportunities; leaders must work with families to ensure regular attendance.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting a “strong culture of safeguarding” where staff are trained to identify concerns and leaders are “tenacious in seeking out and securing any necessary support” for vulnerable pupils.