Coventry school that makes ‘everyone welcome’ praised by Ofsted

A Coventry primary school has been described as a place with a “family feel” where “everyone is welcome” every day and has received praise from Ofsted. Pupils are said to know what ‘We Are Stoke Heath’ means at Stoke Heath Primary School in Heath Crescent in Stoke Heath.

Inspectors visited the school on Tuesday 4 June and Wednesday 5 June. The school was given an overall rating of ‘Good’ and ‘continues to be a good school’.

Inspectors say pupils come to school happy knowing they will be kept safe and well looked after. Students know that when they share their feelings and any concerns they may have, staff respond appropriately.

Read more: Aldi’s £5 school uniform bundle is back, but Specialbuy shoppers need to hurry

Students are said to “enjoy learning” and talk about wanting to “learn about the past” and discuss their findings from experiments. When learning, students display positive attitudes and listen carefully to staff and peers, and those who need extra help receive it quickly and achieve good results in all subjects.

They are clear about how the school expects them to behave and meet staff expectations. Students recognize and respect that some of their peers need different types of support to help them behave well, and this helps everyone feel included and involved. The school also provides ‘valuable experiences’ in the ‘SH60’ promise so they understand the importance of growing up in a world where diversity is celebrated.

Since the previous inspection, the school has created and implemented an “ambitious” curriculum. This now ‘works well’ with students being able to remember more and do more. In each subject, teachers know what to teach and when, so as students move through school, they build knowledge and skills.

On the other hand, disadvantaged pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn well. The school identifies whether a student has barriers to learning in support plans, with teaching staff using the information to analyze what they need to help them understand better. Pupils with SEND participate in activities to help them learn, ie written information that is less complicated than that given to peers. This helps them focus on the key words instead of getting bogged down with too many details.

The school prioritizes reading and is committed to ensuring that every student practices to become fluent readers. The focus on reading and communication begins in Kindergarten at age two, where children have opportunities to acquire vocabulary, speak and play with each other and with staff. Staff closely monitor whether students are keeping up with early reading development, particularly in phonics. If one falls behind, then quick action is taken.

In the early years, children acquire ‘essential background knowledge’ about the subjects so that they are well prepared for their learning in Year 1 and beyond. In history, children talk about the past and repeat sentences using the past tense, while in mathematics, they learn different aspects such as knowledge of shapes and numbers, including counting objects and chanting rhymes.

Students, families and staff appreciate the school-led family center and the work of the family team. The team supports the school in many ways, including attendance and student behaviour. Students can continue their learning and focus without interruption, but there is tailored support for people who find it difficult to manage their behaviour.

The school recognizes the importance of students taking part in a wide range of experiences. It ensures all students participate in clubs and activities during the school week. Student learning is further enriched by visiting places of cultural and historical interest. This helps to support the spiritual and cultural development of students well.

To view the full Ofsted report and previous inspections at Stoke Heath Primary School, visit the Ofsted website.

Get daily headlines and breaking news delivered to you by email – it’s FREE