How about a school where everyone feels secure? I am talking about Dulverton Primary School. It stands on Dulverton Road in New Eltham. This is in London. It is a place where children get a very strong start.
Dulverton Primary School is a community school. It welcomes children aged 3 to 11. Mrs. Karen Herbert is the headteacher. The school’s URN is 101434. Its DfE number is 303/2056. The UKPRN is 10071287.
The school has nursery classes but no sixth form. Dulverton Primary School has a capacity for 446 pupils. Currently, 442 pupils attend. About 4.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. That is about 19 pupils.
Ofsted reports that the quality of education is outstanding. Behaviour and attitudes are outstanding. Personal development is outstanding too. Leadership and management? Outstanding. Early years provision? Also outstanding at Dulverton Primary School.
Pupils take responsibility here. They help make the school harmonious. Older pupils help younger buddies to settle in. Pupils include others at playtimes. They also help each other with classroom tasks. Staff help pupils be kind. This kindness extends beyond the school. Pupils collect items for a foodbank. They write to local care home residents.
Staff have high expectations for all pupils. They provide excellent support. Pupils achieve high outcomes across the curriculum. This includes pupils with special educational needs. Adults expertly extend children’s knowledge and language. This starts in the early years.
Dulverton Primary School offers a wide range of activities. Cooking, curling, and drama are popular. Many pupils take instrumental music tuition. Educational visits extend pupils’ learning. For example, Year 6 pupils take part in an opera production.
Leaders have a clear vision. They plan how pupils’ knowledge and skills will grow. The curriculum content is well sequenced and ambitious. A rich curriculum in the early years develops foundational knowledge. Children observe plant and animal habitats. This happens during outdoor learning in Nursery and Reception. They use this knowledge later. Year 1 classifies organisms. Later, they learn about plant and animal reproduction.
Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They focus on building upon pupils’ prior knowledge. Teachers encourage pupils to extend their thinking. They check pupils’ understanding. Misconceptions are addressed swiftly.
Pupils develop detailed knowledge across the curriculum. They discuss their learning keenly. In Year 1, they explore music’s influence on Kandinsky’s artwork. Year 5 discusses the pitfalls of breadmaking. Year 6 examines the function of an algorithm. Pupils produce work of excellent quality.
The school identifies the needs of pupils with SEND precisely. Provision for them is carefully thought out. Staff meet pupils’ needs. They use individualized approaches. These approaches focus on academic and social-emotional development.
Reading is a high priority. The school offers a wide range of high-quality texts. Pupils learn about different writers. They talk confidently about which authors they enjoy. Pupils at the early stages of reading learn phonics. Staff identify and address any gaps in their knowledge swiftly. Regular reading practice helps pupils read with fluency, confidence, and enjoyment.
Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. Children concentrate for sustained periods. Pupils are attentive. They focus well and move between activities seamlessly. Time is purposefully focused on learning. Pupils rarely miss a day of school. The school responds swiftly to absences.
The school’s curriculum is thoughtful. Pupils are taught extensively about citizenship. They volunteer and fundraise. Pupils recall what they have learned about staying healthy and safe, including online. They know about different backgrounds. They also understand the importance of tolerance and respect. Pupils learn about fundamental British values. They write a manifesto and vote for school council elections.
Leaders and governors continually review the school’s work. They oversee improvements to its strong provision. Staff share leaders’ ambitious vision. Training develops their expertise. Staff report that Dulverton Primary School is a lovely place to work. They feel well supported.
Leaders engage parents and carers thoughtfully. This supports pupils’ education. Parents are invited to read with their children weekly. Many parents take up this opportunity. They report highly positive views of the school. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
So, next time you pass Dulverton Road, remember the outstanding Dulverton Primary School. It is a place where children thrive.