St Silas's CofE Primary School

Overview

Pupils at St Silas’s CofE Primary School feel a “strong sense of belonging” and are “keen to meet” staff’s high expectations for achievement and behaviour. The school provides a “knowledge-rich and broad” curriculum, with leaders being “tenacious” in supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Overall, the school is judged as “Good” across all inspection categories, including early years provision.

Strengths

• Pupils “enjoy learning” and understand “fundamental British values”, discussing differences between people in a “positive and respectful way”.
• Leaders have “prioritised reading”, ensuring most pupils can read with “accuracy and fluency” by the end of Year 6 through daily reading and phonics support.
• Staff “act quickly to resolve any issues of bullying or unkindness”, creating calm classrooms where pupils “engage well and try their best”.
• There is a “wide range of activities and visits”, including trips to museums and places of worship, which “enhance their learning” and develop awareness of charitable endeavours.
• Trustees and governors are “proactive in reducing staff’s workload”, ensuring staff feel supported and part of the school community.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must refine the curriculum in some subjects so staff know the “exact content to teach and when this will happen”, as current gaps hinder knowledge acquisition.
• Teachers need to provide “ample opportunities for pupils to practise new content” in certain subjects to prevent gaps in long-term memory.
• Leaders should work with parents to “reduce the levels of persistent absence from school”, as irregular attendance prevents some pupils from fully benefiting from learning opportunities.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective”, with leaders ensuring staff access up-to-date training and working well with outside agencies to provide timely support.