St Andrew’s CofE VC Lower School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school. The headteacher and staff have maintained and built upon the strengths identified in the last inspection and there are now some outstanding elements.

Outstanding care, guidance and support make a considerable contribution to pupils' personal development. Their exceptionally good spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is reflected in their consideration and support for others. Pupils feel extremely safe because of the first-rate attention given to safeguarding.

They enjoy school very much and show positive attitudes to learning. Behaviour is good in lessons and around the school. Pupils adopt a healthy lifestyle by choosing healthy food and participating in re...gular exercise and sporting activities.

They make valuable contributions to the school and the wider community. Much has been done to raise attendance, which is now above average. Pupils achieve well because of good teaching and an interesting curriculum.

Good-quality provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage ensures that children do well. The children's good progress continues in Key Stages 1 and 2 and attainment by the end of Year 4 is above national expectations. Strategies to improve boys' writing have been implemented successfully.

The specially resourced provision for pupils with speech and language needs is effectively managed and the pupils are integrated into mainstream classes very well. The good provision and the strong input from specialists enable those pupils to make good progress. Teachers create attractive and positive environments for learning in their classrooms.

Their explanations, instructions and questioning promote learning well. Assessment is usually used well to plan teaching and to match tasks to pupils' abilities. Pupils have good opportunities to assess and review their own learning.

Occasionally, learning slows, with over-long introductions, whilst pupils are eager to tackle the main tasks. Opportunities are sometimes missed to extend the most-able pupils and to enable pupils to apply their skills and learn independently. The curriculum is enriched by a wide range of additional activities.

The experienced headteacher provides good leadership and educational direction and is supported well by other senior and key leaders. A productive partnership has been established with parents and carers, who are pleased with the care and education provided for their children. Very strong partnerships with other agencies promote pupils' learning and development.

Through systematic self-evaluation, the school knows its strengths and takes effective steps to bring about improvements. Since the last inspection, care, guidance and support have improved from good to outstanding and this has had a positive impact on the outcomes for pupils. There have also been key improvements to attendance and boys' writing.

The school demonstrates good capacity for sustained improvement.

Information about the school

This is a larger-than-average primary school. The large majority of pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is average, but the proportion with a statement of special educational needs is well above average because the school has specially resourced provision for pupils with speech and language needs. Pupils in the specially resourced provision come from the school's normal catchment area and further afield. The provision is managed by the school and overseen by the local authority.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. The school has a number of awards including the Activemark, Artsmark and Healthy School status. It has gained the Every Child Matters standard very recently.

Also at this postcode