Peaslake Free School

Overview

This small infant school provides a “nurturing, caring and happy” environment where pupils are described as “happy and inquisitive learners.” The inspection highlights a “calm and harmonious learning environment” with “respectful and kind” relationships between staff and pupils. Leaders are “highly ambitious” for pupils, who generally “rise to these aspirations and achieve well.”

Strengths

• The curriculum is “ambitious, broad and balanced,” with teachers presenting learning in “clear and engaging ways.”
• Staff “swiftly and accurately identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND),” providing tailored support that builds confidence.
• Reading is a “top priority,” with a “consistent and effective approach to the teaching of phonics” ensuring pupils become “confident and fluent readers.”
• Pupils gain strong mathematical understanding and “confidently explain their reasoning,” supported by staff who “skilfully model mathematical language.”
• The school effectively promotes personal development, preparing pupils for life beyond school through activities like swimming, charity work, and learning about “diversity, equality and respect.”

Areas to improve

• In a few subjects, recent curriculum developments are still being embedded, meaning some pupils do not consistently acquire the “depth of knowledge they need.” The school should ensure pupils are supported to build a “deep and secure body of knowledge across all subjects.”

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”