Pirehill First School

Overview

Pirehill First School is described as a "nurturing, child-focused" institution where pupils arrive happily and feel safe. The report highlights a "strong standard" in personal development and wellbeing, alongside an "expected standard" in achievement, attendance, behaviour, curriculum, early years, inclusion, and leadership.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate a "secure understanding about for others and tolerance for all," actively engaging in democratic processes and community initiatives.
• Staff provide "effective" support and adaptations, ensuring pupils with additional needs work "seamlessly alongside their peers."
• Leaders have fostered "strong relationships" with parents, creating a "caring, nurturing community school."
• The early years curriculum is well-planned, helping children settle quickly and preparing them for key stage 1.
• Behaviour is positive, with pupils describing peers as "kind, respectful and fun" and stating that "bullying is not an issue."

Areas to improve

• Leaders must improve attendance rates for the "small number of pupils" who are persistently absent, particularly those who are disadvantaged or have SEND.
• Leaders should develop the effectiveness of formative assessment to provide "more precise information" about pupil understanding.
• Leaders need to ensure gaps in foundational knowledge are consistently identified and addressed for pupils with barriers to learning.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively managed.