Emley First School

Overview

Emley First School is judged as ‘Outstanding’ across all inspection categories, including the quality of education, behaviour, and leadership. The report describes a school where pupils are ‘very well prepared, academically and socially for the next stage of learning’ and where the mission of ‘learning and growing together with kindness, confidence, and high aspirations’ is successfully realised.

Strengths

• The curriculum is ‘broad and ambitious for all pupils’, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who study the same content as their peers and ‘achieve highly’.
• Staff deliver subject curriculums ‘consistently and skilfully’, ensuring pupils have an ‘impressive depth and breadth of knowledge’ and use subject-specific vocabulary accurately.
• There is a ‘strong emphasis on developing a love of reading’, with children immersed in stories from Reception and supported by expert phonics instruction so they ‘rapidly become competent readers’.
• Pupils’ attitudes are ‘exemplary’, showing ‘remarkable empathy for others’ and taking on leadership roles such as ‘sports leaders’ or the ‘care crew’ to ensure inclusion.
• The school provides an ‘impressive range of experiences’ that enrich learning, including trips, visits from professionals, and a highly valued outdoor learning area.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.