John Donne Primary School

Overview

Pupils are described as “motivated and enthusiastic about their learning” in a school where classrooms are “settled, purposeful places.” Leaders maintain high ambitions for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, delivering a “broad and interesting” curriculum enriched by “memorable experiences” such as residential stays.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “carefully sequenced to develop pupils’ knowledge in a logical order,” with a strong focus on vocabulary development and phonics.
• Staff have “strong expertise in phonics,” enabling pupils to read with “fluency and confidence” and fostering a love of literature.
• Pupils with SEND benefit from “well devised” individual support and adaptations that allow them to learn alongside peers.
• Strong routines support positive behaviour, with pupils learning to “treat one another kindly” and leaders taking effective steps to ensure regular attendance.
• Leaders and the governing body have “clearly structured roles that they use effectively to help the school improve its work further.”

Areas to improve

• The school should ensure assessment checks are used systematically to identify where pupils’ knowledge is less secure, as current systems provide a “less clear picture” in some subjects.
• Teaching in a few subjects should focus more rigorously on helping pupils “recall the most important knowledge accurately” to prevent confusion and improve fluency.

Safeguarding

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