Southfields Primary School

Pupils are happy and enjoy coming to school. Adults care about their pupils and pupils are friendly and considerate to each other. Adults play and talk with pupils outside at breaktimes. Pupils are cheerful as they play together. Ofsted, September 2019

Pupils grow in confidence in this school. Teachers encourage them to read lots of books and they often read to pupils in class. Ofsted, September 2019

Pupils enjoy school trips, especially when they stay away overnight. They say this helps them to get on even better with each other. Pupils like learning to play musical instruments and taking part in performances.Ofsted, September 2019

This school wants pupils to be knowledgeable and confident...Teachers help pupils to understand and explain the meaning of difficult texts. Pupils use exactly the right mathematical words when describing how to solve problems. They learn skills in science that help them to understand and explain scientific patterns and processes in the world around them. Pupils can do this because knowledge is taught in the correct order.Ofsted, September 2019

Teachers encourage pupils to read a lot in lessons. Younger pupils are introduced to books as soon as they start school. Staff make sure that each pupil practises reading every day so that they can manage to read more difficult books over time.Ofsted, September 2019

Pupils in the CARES team look after other pupils. We saw one of them help a younger pupil to find her lunch box, while another explained how he hoped to use his caring skills in secondary school. Ofsted, September 2019

Pupils understand justice and can explain why they consider the school’s behaviour management system to be fair. Some pupils discuss current affairs and could explain recent Parliamentary events clearly.Ofsted, September 2019

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do well because leaders make sure their teachers know how to support them well. Their ‘Big Strides’ books provide up-to-date information for parents, carers and teachers, as well as for the other adults who support them.Ofsted, September 2019

Many parents say how pleased they are with the way the school communicates with them. Parents of children in the Reception class in particular like the regular updates from teachers because they help them to support their child’s learning.Ofsted, September 2019

Governors know their school well. They value the work of the headteacher and her staff.Ofsted, September 2019

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are well trained to know how to keep pupils safe. They are clear about what they need to do if they are concerned about a child’s safety. Pupils trust staff and are comfortable to raise concerns with them. Pupils are taught how to keep safe, especially when using the internet. Ofsted, September 2019