Netherton CofE Primary School

Overview

Netherton CofE Primary School is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report highlights that new leadership has rapidly established a ‘broad and ambitious curriculum’ and fostered a positive culture where pupils feel ‘accepted’ and ‘loved’. While relationships are strong and personal development is effective, inconsistencies in teaching adaptations and writing instruction hinder some pupils’ achievement.

Strengths

• Leaders have successfully raised expectations, creating an environment where pupils ‘thrive’ and demonstrate ‘respectful and positive’ behaviour.
• The early years provision offers a ‘strong start’, with children encouraged to develop ‘curiosity about the world’ in a happy environment.
• Teachers possess ‘secure subject knowledge’, and the new reading programme ensures pupils make ‘strong progress in learning to read’.
• Personal development is ‘highly effective’, with pupils taking pride in roles such as ‘anti-bullying ambassadors’ and engaging in numerous enrichment opportunities.
• Governors and trustees ‘hold leaders to account effectively’ for safeguarding and the quality of special educational needs provision.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must work closely with parents and agencies to ‘secure more regular attendance’, as excessive absence prevents pupils from achieving their potential.
• All teachers must ‘consistently adapt their learning’ to fully support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they understand tasks clearly.
• Writing instruction requires greater consistency; leaders must ensure ‘writing is planned and taught consistently’ from the early years to Key Stage 2 to improve letter formation and accuracy.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’ and that safeguarding is ‘embedded into the culture of the school’, with leaders contacting external agencies quickly when families require early help.