North Denes Primary School and Nursery

Overview

North Denes Primary School and Nursery is described as a “warm and welcoming place” where pupils have “positive relationships with staff” and feel safe. The report states that the overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership, and early years provision are all rated as Good.

Strengths

• The curriculum is well-designed, with content that “builds on what pupils already know” and teachers who regularly check understanding to address misconceptions.
• Staff deliver an “effective phonics programme” that supports early reading, helping pupils develop a “secure understanding of how to decode and blend words.”
• Pupils demonstrate “tolerance and respect,” understanding different faiths and family structures, while older pupils take on roles such as ‘digital leaders’.
• Leaders provide “effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities,” working closely with families and external agencies.
• Safeguarding arrangements are “effective,” with staff who are well trained and act swiftly when concerns arise.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must continue to develop a “broad and well-ordered Nursery curriculum” to ensure children have secure foundations for future learning.
• Leaders should work with families to improve attendance, as a small number of pupils remain “routinely absent,” resulting in gaps in their learning.
• Governors need to establish “clear and robust systems” to check curriculum quality, rather than relying too much on information provided by leaders.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that staff are well trained, look for signs of potential harm, and act swiftly when concerns arise.