South Gosforth First School

Overview

South Gosforth First School continues to be a good school, where leaders strive to provide pupils with "the very best start in life." The inspection highlights an ambitious curriculum, strong behaviour, and effective support for pupils, including those with special educational needs.

Strengths

• Leaders have prioritised reading, introducing a new phonics scheme that enables pupils to read with "fluency and expression."
• Behaviour is a strength; pupils feel "happy and safe" and can learn without distraction, with bullying being "very rare."
• The school offers a "rich variety of cultural experiences," including visits to museums and a diverse programme of clubs.
• Teachers support pupils with special educational needs well, using "one-to-one adult support" and bespoke curricula.
• Pupils enjoy a variety of roles, such as the school council and Eco-Warriors, giving them "a voice" to make a difference.

Areas to improve

• The assessment system in some foundation subjects, such as geography, does not enable teachers to identify gaps in knowledge or help pupils link new learning with prior knowledge.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff skilled in identifying signs of harm and making timely referrals.