Dalton St Michael's Church of England Primary School

Overview

Dalton St Michael’s Church of England Primary School is described as a “small, nurturing school” where pupils are “happy and safe.” The report states that the overall effectiveness is Good, with pupils achieving well and demonstrating high levels of respect and confidence in their learning.

Strengths

• Pupils feel “valued for who they are” and speak confidently about their knowledge, with “low-level disruption” being rare.
• Leaders have designed a “rich curriculum” that is “appropriately broad and balanced,” preparing pupils for the next stage of education.
• Staff possess the expertise to teach early reading well, ensuring pupils become “confident readers” through focused phonics instruction.
• Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective, allowing them to “fully access the curriculum.”
• Staff well-being is prioritised, with leaders taking steps to reduce workload, resulting in staff being “overwhelmingly positive” about the support they receive.

Areas to improve

• In a few subjects, leaders must clarify “what pupils should learn and when this should happen” to help teachers design learning that builds on prior knowledge.
• In a small number of subjects, teachers need to use assessment information more consistently to check that pupils have a “secure understanding” before moving on, preventing misconceptions.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a “strong culture of safeguarding” ensuring staff are trained and pupils receive timely support.