Chalton Lower School

Overview

Chalton Lower School is described as a "friendly, happy place to learn in" where pupils "enjoy coming to school." The inspection confirms that the school continues to be a good school, with leaders having "successfully managed a significant amount of change to the curriculum."

Strengths

• Pupils are "well prepared for their next stage in learning" and enjoy "interesting activities" such as immersive 'curriculum focus days'.
• Teachers demonstrate "strong subject knowledge" and "break learning down into small steps" to support all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Leaders have "prioritised the teaching of early reading," implementing a new phonics programme that helps pupils become "confident, fluent readers."
• Bullying is "rare" as pupils learn values like "care, humility and cooperation," and they feel safe using systems like the 'worry monster' to share concerns.
• Staff are "proud to work at the school," and leaders are "mindful of staff’s workload and well-being."

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure staff have the necessary information and training to support pupils with complex SEND needs effectively, as some are "not as well supported as others."
• In some subjects, teachers do not consistently revisit previous learning, meaning pupils struggle to "connect new learning to what they have already learned."

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well placed to "quickly identify and report concerns" and leaders acting "at pace to resolve situations."