Occold Primary School

Overview

Occold Primary School continues to be a good school, where high expectations raise pupils’ aspirations and foster a "love of learning." The school is described as a "happy community" with calm behaviour, where pupils develop confidence and articulate opinions within a safe atmosphere.

Strengths

• Leaders provide an "ambitious and broad curriculum" carefully planned around pupils’ needs, ensuring clear progression from early years.
• Pupils benefit from a rich range of additional opportunities, including visits from authors and artists, which extend learning beyond the classroom.
• Staff support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively, using appropriate activities to help them access the curriculum.
• Leaders prioritise reading, planning in depth how pupils build their knowledge and appreciation of literature throughout their time at the school.
• Staff are consistent in teaching phonics, helping most pupils learn to read with fluency, while also addressing mental health and well-being.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should train teachers to check learning regularly and address misconceptions effectively, as some inaccuracies in spelling and number formation go uncorrected.
• Leaders need to ensure all staff give pupils effective support when practising phonics, so that early readers can blend sounds and spell more confidently.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff trained to spot concerns, leaders responding promptly, and robust recruitment and health and safety processes in place.