Dore Primary School

Overview

Pupils are described as “proud and happy” to attend, with leaders maintaining “high expectations” that result in most pupils achieving well. The school fosters a calm, orderly environment where pupils live the values of being “Ready, Safe” and “Respectful”. While the quality of education, behaviour, personal development, and leadership are all judged as Good, the report notes that the school does not receive an overall effectiveness grade under current regulations.

Strengths

• Pupils behave well, are “kind to each other”, and participate actively in school life through initiatives like the ‘Dore Democrats’.
• The early years provision is strong, with children getting a “flying start” and becoming “fluent readers” through a sharp focus on phonics.
• Leaders are “ambitious for all pupils”, using data to address gaps, such as specific lessons to improve girls’ achievement in mathematics.
• The personal, social and health education curriculum prepares pupils well for life, helping them understand how to stay safe and manage finances.
• Staff feel “well supported” by leaders, and governors undertake focused visits that effectively support school leadership.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, the key knowledge and skills are not clearly identified, meaning curriculum implementation is “less secure” and pupils’ understanding lacks depth.
• Support for some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is not “refined enough”, making it difficult for staff to adapt lessons effectively.
• Pupils do not always remember what they have learned in religious education; they need more opportunities to “recap and build on previous learning”.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”