Seghill First School

Overview

Seghill First School is described as a place where everyone is made to feel welcome, with a strong ‘family feel’ that parents appreciate. The school is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and has successfully addressed previous weaknesses in the curriculum. Leaders and governors have worked with determination to improve the school, resulting in a calm environment where pupils behave well and feel safe.

Strengths

• The curriculum clearly defines important knowledge, helping pupils remember more and achieve well, particularly in mathematics and reading.
• Staff use assessment skilfully in mathematics to ensure new learning builds on what pupils already know.
• Effective systems identify and support pupils with SEND, who achieve well over time with personalised plans.
• Pupils learn to understand and manage their emotions, contributing to a calm school environment where they look after each other.
• Governors support and challenge the school effectively, and staff feel valued and proud to work there.

Areas to improve

• Assessment is not fully developed in all foundation subjects; staff do not consistently check pupils’ knowledge before introducing new content.
• Leaders do not know the strengths and areas for development in some new subject curriculums precisely enough because the impact has not been checked well enough.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.