Dunswell Primary School

Overview

Dunswell Primary School is described as a “charming school” where pupils are “happy” and “want to do their best.” Leaders maintain high expectations for English and mathematics, though the report notes that “curriculum thinking does not support pupils to achieve ambitious end points in some other subjects.” The school fosters a strong sense of community, with pupils demonstrating respectful attitudes and confidence in their ability to seek help from staff.

Strengths

• Leaders promote a “love of reading,” with staff well-trained in phonics to ensure pupils become “accurate and fluent readers.”
• Pupils feel safe, noting that bullying is “extremely rare” and that staff would deal with any incidents “quickly and effectively.”
• The early years provision is effective, with children being “happy and confident” and well-prepared for Year 1.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well due to “effective adaptations” and expert coordination.
• Governors are “well informed” and ask “thoughtful questions” to assure themselves of the accuracy of information received.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure curriculum planning is strong so that pupils “know more and remember more in different subjects,” particularly where content sequencing is not yet finalised.
• Leaders must ensure the new curriculum structure is “carefully monitored” so that the impact on pupil progress is “clearly understood.”

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with suitable checks on adults and regular training enabling staff to recognise signs of risk.