Malden Parochial CofE Primary School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils behave exceptionally well and treat each other with kindness. Leaders provide a curriculum designed to engage pupils, with most meeting high expectations. The inspection notes that while the school was previously judged ‘Outstanding’, current judgements reflect the new framework, resulting in ‘Good’ overall effectiveness and ‘Outstanding’ behaviour and attitudes.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate exceptional behaviour, with older pupils forming nurturing relationships with younger children and peer mediators helping resolve disagreements.
• A consistent approach to reading, including early phonics training and matched books, helps children become fluent readers.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive appropriate support, including tailored help from external experts like educational psychologists.
• The curriculum is carefully sequenced so pupils build on previous knowledge, such as linking tourism in Year 4 to international trade in Year 6.
• Staff use consistent approaches to manage behaviour, creating a calm, orderly environment where learning is never disrupted.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure teaching routinely makes clear what important subject knowledge pupils need to know and remember, rather than just recalling activities.
• Leaders must ensure learning in the early years prepares children equally well across all areas for Year 1, addressing current inconsistencies in foundational knowledge.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving appropriate training and working well with external organisations to support pupils and families.