The Grove Primary School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils enjoy learning and feel safe, supported by leaders who maintain high aspirations for all. It highlights a broad, balanced curriculum and effective early years provision as key strengths, noting that staff are inclusive and responsive to pupils’ needs.

Strengths

• Leaders have developed a curriculum with "high aspirations for all pupils" and use approaches that are "inclusive" and meet diverse needs.
• The teaching of early reading is "effective," with phonics delivered "consistently well" and timely interventions for those needing support.
• Early years is a "clear area of strength," where children quickly acquire skills to manage feelings and form successful relationships.
• Pupils demonstrate "positive attitudes to their learning," with no disruptions, and are described as "respectful and courteous."
• The local governing body has a "good understanding of the school" and is "proactive in their approach" to supporting and challenging leaders.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure safeguarding training records are "complete and kept in one place" to prevent staff being missed during checks.
• Assessment systems in some subjects are "not fully embedded," meaning teachers lack sufficient information to plan accurate next steps for pupils.
• Leaders must make better use of attendance information to shift their approach from "largely reactive to proactive" to reduce missed learning.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," with staff reporting concerns promptly and pupils knowing how to keep themselves safe, though record-keeping requires improvement.