Slaley First School

Overview

Slaley First School continues to be a good school, characterised by a close and caring community where staff know pupils well. Leaders maintain high aspirations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, fostering an environment where children are safe, happy, and well-prepared for their next stage in education.

Strengths

• Staff deliver an "engaging curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils," introducing new learning in "small, logical steps" to build knowledge progressively.
• Reading is highly valued, with a recently introduced phonics programme having a "positive impact on early reading" and struggling readers receiving "effective and timely support."
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities "flourish under the care and guidance of their teachers," accessing the same curriculum as their classmates.
• Older pupils take on leadership roles with "diligence and pride," contributing to a strong sense of community and personal development.
• Governors provide "helpful support and challenge," and leaders have successfully taken steps to reduce staff workload.

Areas to improve

• The school should ensure that its behaviour expectations are understood and met by pupils consistently, as some pupils talk over each other and adults, causing a "loss of focus on learning."

Safeguarding

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