Knutsford Primary Academy

Overview

Knutsford Primary Academy is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report describes a school where pupils speak with pride, feel safe, and are supported to explore a wide range of interests beyond the core curriculum. Leaders have established an ‘ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum’ that fosters high expectations and secure staff expertise, particularly in mathematics and reading.

Strengths

• The curriculum is ‘ambitious and well-sequenced’, with teachers demonstrating ‘secure knowledge’ of subjects, leading to engaged and interested pupils.
• Pupils are taught to be ‘considerate of each other’ and show ‘good learning attitudes and self-control’, resulting in ‘focused and calm’ classrooms.
• Staff accurately identify individual needs, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), using ‘accurate and detailed plans’ to support access to the curriculum.
• Phonics teaching is effective, helping pupils to ‘gain confidence and read fluently’, which boosts achievement across the whole curriculum.
• Leaders are ‘tenacious’ in safeguarding, responding swiftly to concerns and ensuring staff have ‘specialist knowledge’ of signs that a pupil might be at risk.

Areas to improve

• There is ‘minor variation in the expertise of staff in the early years’, leading to inconsistency in how adults extend children’s learning during independent play. Leaders must ensure all staff have a ‘secure understanding of how to maximise and extend children’s learning’.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’, with reliable systems, safe recruitment, and staff who are trained to identify risks and respond swiftly to concerns.