Plantation Primary School in Halewood, part of the Rowan multi-academy trust, has received its latest Ofsted inspection report which highlights that Achievement; Curriculum and teaching; Early years; Inclusion; Leadership and Governance; and Personal development and wellbeing are all meeting the expected standard. An area for improvement was attendance and behaviour, however it was noted that leaders have created a school environment where pupils want to attend and attendance is improving.
Inspectors noted that:-
- Pupils at this school are welcoming, happy and confident. They benefit greatly from the positive relationships that they develop with their peers and the school’s staff.
- Parents and carers speak highly of the school. They value staff’s visible presence and regular opportunities to speak with them during drop‑off and pick-up times.
- Pupils live out the school’s values. For example, they behave kindly towards each other in the dining hall and show determination in their learning.
- Pupils fulfil the high expectations set by leaders.
- Staff swiftly identify pupils who face barriers to learning and provide targeted, high‑quality support to help them overcome these challenges. As a result, these pupils make appropriate progress from their starting points.
- Pupils are well prepared for the next stages of their education.
- Leaders have detailed oversight of the curriculum and draw on this knowledge to make improvements.
- Subject leaders are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subjects. They have created ambitious and well-ordered curriculums that help pupils at each phase to build on what they already know.
- Where pupils need a more individualised curriculum, staff consider carefully how to break learning into manageable steps to help those pupils to make progress.
- The school works closely with parents and carers in early years from the outset. Staff build positive professional relationships with them as children transition into school, so that they can get off to the best possible start.
- Leaders set high expectations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who face other challenges to their learning. Staff identify pupils’ needs quickly and accurately through a clear approach, with parents and carers fully involved at every stage.
- Leaders ensure that support for pupils is informed by specialist advice or local service
- where appropriate. This helps to reduce pupils’ barriers to learning and ensures that their needs are met effectively. Pupils’ learning plans typically set out effective targets.
- Those responsible for governance fully understand their roles and statutory responsibilities.
- Leaders have designed a personal development programme that reflects the school’s context and they ensure that all pupils, including those who face barriers to learning and participation, benefit from the school’s offer.
Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said “I was delighted to read Plantation Primary School’s latest Ofsted report which clearly highlights that pupils are happy, safe, supported and achieve. A key priority is for children to receive the very best start in life and Inspectors noted that children get off to a flying start in early years, which was great to hear. Well done to everyone involved!”