Merley First School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils grow into "respectful and thoughtful citizens" through a carefully planned curriculum. Leaders have devised a "well-sequenced curriculum" that supports strong personal development, though some wider subject areas require further refinement to ensure pupils build on prior knowledge effectively.

Strengths

• Personal development is praised as "Outstanding," with pupils acting as "voice champions" and "eco-warriors" who take responsibility within the school.
• Early years provision is "Outstanding," with staff effectively adapting teaching to meet individual needs and using outdoor learning to build "secure knowledge."
• Reading instruction is rigorous; staff use "secure phonic knowledge" to ensure accurate pronunciation and provide swift "keep-up sessions" for those needing support.
• The school prioritises mental health and well-being, helping pupils reflect on their feelings and appreciate lives different from their own.
• Staff workload is managed well, with leaders providing quick support, including from the trust’s technical team.

Areas to improve

• In a few wider curriculum subjects, assessment is not used well to reflect on and adapt teaching, meaning pupils sometimes cannot build on prior learning.
• Leaders have identified the need to improve pupils’ spelling, having recently implemented a phonics-based curriculum for Years 3 and 4, though its impact is yet to be seen.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."