Schools in Hampshire: Pupils 'polite' and 'welcoming' at Portsdown Primary School following inspection

Portsdown Primary School, located in Sundridge Close, Cosham, has retained its good Ofsted rating in its most recent inspection which took place on March 19 and 20, 2024.

The report said: “Pupils are proud of their school. Some pupils face challenges in life and are  supported well by the school because it creates an inclusive, safe culture. Pupils enjoy warm relationships with their caring teachers. The school sets high  expectations of pupils’ behaviour. They are polite, welcoming and engage well during lessons. 

“The school provides pupils with opportunities that help bring learning to life. Pupils go on trips, such as Portsmouth’s historic dockyard. Older pupils relish taking on  important roles such as sports leaders and school councillors.”

The inspection also found that the school prioritises reading and mathematics to ensure that children are achieving as well as possible. This is because ‘after the pandemic, key stage 2 pupils, in particular, fell behind. They did not  achieve well as they should have in national tests.’ Staff have been working hard to make improvements in this area.

The report added: “Teachers plan well-structured lessons which enable pupils with special educational  needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to achieve well. In subjects such as computing,  pupils with SEND are well supported to understand internet safety and to make wise  choices over the use of apps.  

“Teachers routinely check that pupils have understood and address misconceptions.  Most staff have strong subject knowledge and know how to deliver the curriculum  effectively.”

The school carefully considers how to develop children’s enjoyment of reading and the phonics programme helps build up pupils’ recognition of letters and sounds. The report also found that the safeguarding measures are effective and there is a strong culture of keeping children safe.

The inspection found that there are some improvements to be made in order to get the school an outstanding rating. It found that ‘a few staff are less experienced in terms of subject and pedagogical knowledge’ which means they do not always deliver the curriculum as effectively. As a result, leaders should continue to provide ‘high quality training to all staff’.

For more information about the Ofsted, click here.