Stepaside Community Primary School

Overview

Stepaside C.P. School is described as a "happy place" with a "nurturing ethos" where pupils feel safe and are "eager to learn." The school has successfully developed a "broad and balanced" curriculum aligned with Curriculum for Wales, though work on ensuring suitable progression across all areas of learning is "at an early stage of development."

Strengths

• Pupils make "good progress" in their learning, particularly in speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
• Staff create a "calm and purposeful learning environment" and make "good use of the extensive outdoor areas" to enhance the curriculum.
• The headteacher has a "clear vision" and implements effective changes, while governors provide "good level of support and challenge."
• Pupils have "good opportunities to take on lead roles" and influence school life, demonstrating pride in their achievements.
• Provision for pupils with additional learning needs is effective, with tailored plans that improve their "learning, social and emotional skills."

Areas to improve

• Develop a "shared understanding of progression" to ensure pupils make progress across all areas of the curriculum.
• Ensure that independent learning experiences provide "sufficient challenge for all pupils" and match their ability or stage of development.

Safeguarding

The report states that the school has a "robust approach to safeguarding" and that arrangements for keeping pupils safe "meet requirements and give no cause for concern."