Gladstone Primary Academy

Overview

Gladstone Primary Academy is described as a school where new leaders have “invigorated” the environment, creating a “warm and inclusive school culture.” Pupils generally make “suitable progress” and are “far better prepared for their next stages of education than they have been previously.” The report highlights a strong focus on foundational learning in English and mathematics, alongside high expectations for attendance and behaviour.

Strengths

• Leaders have established a “well-established culture of positive behaviour,” where pupils “treat adults and each other with respect” and engage enthusiastically in lessons.
• Attendance is “typically well,” with leaders providing “positive and effective support” to families, resulting in fewer pupils being persistently absent.
• The curriculum is “well sequenced from the early years” and builds logically, with a clear focus on ensuring pupils become “confident and fluent readers.”
• Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs receive targeted support through “challenge meetings,” helping to reduce barriers to learning.
• Parents are “for the most part positive about the school,” noting it is a “lovely learning environment” where leaders care about the community.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure staff “consistently deliver the school's curriculum effectively,” particularly regarding how well they focus on important knowledge in subjects and ensure pupils respond to feedback.
• Leaders should support staff to ensure adaptations to learning are “carefully tailored to pupils' needs” to successfully reduce barriers, as “not all staff are adept” at making these adaptations as effective as possible.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders having established an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns are actively identified and managed.