Ofsted Inspections

2023 OFSTED Short Inspection

There has been no change to the school's overall judgement of good as a result of this ungraded inspection:

'Pupils play a large part in making Mersey Drive Community Primary School the welcoming
learning community that it is. They are happy in school. Pupils benefit from the positive
relationships that they develop with staff.

Pupils know that leaders expect them to behave well. The youngest children listen
attentively to staff and respond well to instructions. Pupils’ conduct across the rest of the
school embodies the values that they themselves have helped to create. They are
respectful and kind to others.

Pupils said that there are adults whom they can go to if they have any concerns or
worries. Leaders deal with any incidents of bullying effectively. This helps pupils to feel
safe.

Leaders have high expectations of what pupils can and should achieve. This includes
pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Leaders make sure that the needs of pupils with SEND are accurately identified. This
means that pupils with SEND, including those in the specially resourced provision, receive
the support that they need to access the curriculum alongside their peers. Pupils with
SEND feel fully involved in the life of the school.

Leaders prioritise reading. They have put a well-designed phonics programme in place.
Children in the early years get off to a brisk start with learning to read. Teachers deliver
the phonics programme well. They match books carefully to the sounds that pupils know.
Staff keep a close check on how well pupils are keeping up with their phonic knowledge.
If pupils need additional help, leaders put appropriate support in place. This helps pupils
to catch up quickly.

Leaders make sure that staff seize every opportunity to develop children’s language and
love of books. 

Pupils, including those in the specially resourced provision, work well together. They are
attentive and focused during lessons. This means that they can learn without interruption.

Leaders carefully consider how best to prepare pupils for adulthood. They encourage
pupils to aim high for their futures by introducing them to the varied world of work. Pupils
are keen to play their part in the school community.

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders understand the needs of pupils and their families. They make sure that all staff
are appropriately trained to keep pupils safe. Leaders provide timely updates to keep staff
well informed about any new risks that pupils may face. Staff know how to identify
safeguarding concerns, and report them appropriately. Leaders take effective action to
provide support for vulnerable pupils when concerns are raised by staff or other agencies.

Leaders make appropriate use of the expertise of other professionals, including school
health, to deepen pupils’ understanding of how to keep themselves safe. This includes
keeping safe when working and playing online.

Click here to read our Short Inspection Report from March 2023.

2017 OFSTED Short Inspection

The visit was the first short inspection carried out since the school was judged to be good in December 2012. The school was judged as continuing to be good with the report stating:

'Mersey Drive remains a good and improving school because of strengths in leadership, teaching and learning, pupils’ achievement and their personal development. Pupils continue to achieve well in their reading, writing and mathematics and are well prepared for their life beyond primary education.

Pupils’ achievement is good because of the consistently good quality of teaching and learning on a day-to-day basis.'

'As a result of this focused work, all classrooms are very positive places. Expectations of what every pupil can achieve are high. Relationships between the staff and the pupils are positive. Teachers work hard to ensure that lessons are interesting and provide interesting resources to help stimulate the pupils in their thinking.'

Click here to read our Short Inspection Report from March 2017.

Click here to read our 2012 Inspection Report.

Click here to read the Ofsted Performance Data.

'Pupils say that they are happy in school and continue to benefit from interesting
and well-planned learning opportunities across a range of subjects.'

'The safeguarding of pupils is given the highest priority in the school.'

'Pupils are rightly proud of their school and are a great credit to their teachers and families'