Knowsley Lane Primary School in Huyton, part of Vantage Academy CE Trust, has received a positive Ofsted report, including receiving a ‘Strong Standard’ for Early Years and ‘Expected Standard’ for Achievement, Attendance and behaviour, Curriculum and teaching, Inclusion, Leadership and Governance and Personal development and wellbeing.
Inspectors noted that:-
- Early years is led well. Leaders have a clear vision for a nurturing provision that gives children a flying start.
- Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points.
- Pupils achieve well across the school. In national assessments for reading, writing and mathematics, results are typically in line with national averages.
- Leaders’ recent focus on handwriting is having a positive impact.
- Leaders have implemented curriculums that are ambitious and well designed.
- Leaders ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) typically learn alongside their peers. Staff take pupils’ SEND plans into account and adapt activities so that pupils can access the curriculum and succeed.
- Staff understand pupils as individuals and identify when additional support is needed. This enables pupils to feel safe, ready to learn and able to succeed.
- Leaders provide clear direction. They understand the school’s strengths and identify appropriate priorities for improvement. This includes the involvement of subject leaders in driving continued development.
- Those responsible for governance are committed to their roles and meet their statutory duties.
- Leaders ensure high levels of parental engagement. They promote positive relationships with families and the wider community.
- Leaders have thought carefully about their approach to pupils’ personal development and wellbeing.
Linda Lord, Head Teacher at Knowsley Lane Primary School, said: “We are incredibly proud of this positive Ofsted outcome and of everything our pupils, staff, families, governors and Trust have achieved together. At Knowsley Lane, our vision is to give every child ‘Roots and Wings’ – strong foundations that help them feel safe, valued and ready to learn, alongside the confidence and ambition to achieve their full potential. We are delighted that the report recognises our nurturing ethos, inclusive culture and the high-quality opportunities we provide for all children. While we celebrate this success, we remain committed to building on our strengths and ensuring every child continues to thrive.”
Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: “This was an incredibly positive report and it was clear that there is a strong ‘Knowsley Lane family’ with the school, pupils, parents and carers and the wider community all working together to support pupils to develop. I also noted that inspectors commented that the school gives pupils ‘root and wings’ from early years where nurturing staff help children to build secure foundations. Well done to everyone involved.”