Scremerston First School

Overview

Scremerston First School is described as a "welcoming and nurturing" environment where "positive relationships between staff and pupils are at the heart" of the experience. The report highlights that pupils are "happy and safe," with high ambitions for academic success and effective preparation for the next stage of their education.

Strengths

• Phonics teaching is delivered "accurately" and "skilfully," ensuring pupils become "confident and fluent readers" with gaps addressed quickly.
• The curriculum is "well sequenced," and staff possess "strong subject knowledge," helping pupils grasp new concepts and articulate their understanding well.
• Needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "identified early," allowing them to access the curriculum "with confidence alongside their peers."
• Governors are "astute in reviewing the school’s work" and effectively support and challenge the school to improve.
• Safeguarding arrangements are "effective," creating an open culture that puts pupils’ interests first.

Areas to improve

• In some foundation subjects, such as geography, teaching does not help pupils "apply their understanding effectively enough" to wider contexts.
• Early years outdoor provision is "not as well designed" as indoor activities, failing to support children’s knowledge development adequately.
• There are "limited opportunities for pupils to apply their learning and play their part as responsible citizens," limiting their understanding of their positive impact on the community.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."