Old Palace Primary School

Overview

Old Palace Primary School is described as an inclusive institution that “celebrates difference and promotes diversity,” with pupils valuing its ethos. The report highlights an “ambitious curriculum” and “exemplary” behaviour, noting that the school provides a “purposeful and calm” environment where pupils are “polite, respectful and considerate.”

Strengths

• Behaviour is “exemplary,” with adults applying the policy consistently and older pupils modelling good conduct for younger ones.
• The curriculum is “well organised,” with leaders carefully planning subject content and providing enrichment opportunities such as visits to museums and theatres.
• Early years provision is “exceptionally well planned,” ensuring children are “prepared very effectively” for later learning through secure language development and routines.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive “effective support,” including suitable adaptations and achievable targets to access the same curriculum as others.
• Leaders prioritise reading, providing “high-quality books” and fostering a “love of reading” through regular story sessions and discussions.

Areas to improve

• Staff subject knowledge in phonics is not always strong, affecting how well they support pupils to develop reading skills.
• Weaker readers do not routinely have books matched to the sounds they know and are sometimes moved on to new books before they are ready.
• Leaders should ensure all staff have the subject knowledge to teach phonics effectively and provide reading books that correspond closely to pupils’ phonic stage.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained to recognise signs of harm and leaders taking “prompt and effective action” when concerns are raised.