Southcoates Primary Academy

Overview

Southcoates Primary Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils are proud to attend and feel safe. Leaders have implemented an ambitious curriculum with clear sequencing, and staff maintain high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The school works closely with parents and has taken effective action to address learning gaps arising from the pandemic.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "clearly sequenced," with key knowledge and skills carefully mapped from early years to Year 6.
• Teachers use assessment effectively to identify and rectify gaps in knowledge, such as in geography and mathematics.
• Reading is a high priority, with consistent phonics teaching and the ‘Southcoates 70’ book scheme fostering a "love of reading."
• Pupils with SEND are supported well, participating in class discussions and receiving effectively matched intervention work.
• Staff workload is manageable, and subject leaders effectively check for curriculum consistency across the school.

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders must ensure all staff understand their role in the school’s further development, as subject leaders are currently uncertain about how their work connects with improvement priorities.
• Leaders’ improvement plans do not consistently set out the expected end points of their work, requiring clearer definition of successful completion.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders creating an "ongoing culture of vigilance" and staff receiving regular training to keep pupils safe.