Ridgeway Farm CofE Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The principal provides strong and effective leadership.

She is ably supported by the deputy principal. They inspire other leaders and teachers to do their utmost to enable pupils to achieve their best. The school is popular and its ethos and values underpin all aspects of its work.

The number of pupils on roll has increased considerably since the school opened in 2016. Parents and pupils are highly positive about the school. Leaders in the trust support the school well.

They work effectively with school leaders to monitor the school's work. They help them to draw up well-focused improvement plans. The teaching of phonics, and out...comes for pupils at the end of key stage 1 and 2, have improved over time.

Teachers have high expectations of pupils' achievement. They plan interesting work, which motivates pupils to learn. As a result, pupils' attitudes are consistently positive.

Good teaching ensures that pupils make good progress in reading and mathematics. An increasing number of pupils are working at greater depth in their learning. However, pupils' achievement in writing is weaker.

Pastoral support is strong because staff care deeply about pupils. As a result, they prioritise pupils' safety and well-being. Pupils' behaviour in and out of lessons is exemplary because they understand routines and know what adults expect of them.

Teaching is good in the early years. Children are provided with exciting activities which encourage them to explore and become absorbed in their learning. Children in the early years consistently achieve in line with other children nationally.

Leaders routinely intervene when pupils need to make stronger progress. They make good use of additional funding to provide targeted pastoral and academic support for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Extra support is helping disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND to concentrate well on their learning.

This is improving their progress. However, more time is needed for this to have an impact on their attainment, particularly in writing. Attendance for some disadvantaged pupils and some pupils with SEND is lower than for other pupils.

This restricts how well they can benefit from all the school has to offer.

Information about this school

Ridgeway Farm Church of England Academy opened in September 2016. The school is smaller than the average primary school.

In the last two years, the number of pupils on roll has almost doubled. The principal of the school is also principal of Lydiard Millicent CE Primary. Both schools are part of the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust.

The school's work is overseen by a governing body, which is accountable to a board of trustees and the chief executive officer. Most pupils are White British. Few are from minority ethnic backgrounds or speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is lower than the national average. The proportion of pupils who receive support for special educational needs or have an educational health and care plan is below that of pupils nationally. The school runs a breakfast- and after-school club.