St Paul’s Church of England Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have driven significant improvements. Pupils' outcomes at the end of key stage 2 have risen markedly over the last three years, as a result.

The headteacher has a well-defined vision, based on the school's Christian values. This is driving improvement in all aspects of its work. The school works well with other schools, including those within the multi-academy trust, to develop its provision.

This has had a substantial impact on raising standards and improving the quality of teaching. Governors have a clear understanding of the school's priorities. They hold leaders rigorously to account for the progress of pupils.

They p...rovide an appropriate balance of challenge and support. Teaching is good and teachers build very good relationships with pupils. Where teaching is strongest, pupils make rapid and sustained progress.

Where teaching is less effective, some pupils do not achieve as well as they could. The school makes effective provision for its vulnerable pupils and supports their learning well. The attainment of disadvantaged pupils is in line with that of other pupils nationally and they make strong progress.

Pupils behave well as a result of the school's effective strategies for managing behaviour. Pupils have positive attitudes and learn well. They receive high-quality care that supports them to feel safe, happy and confident.

Staff are vigilant in keeping pupils safe. Rates of attendance are improving and persistent absence is reducing. Early years teaching is good and the provision is effectively led and managed.

The Nursery provides the youngest children with a particularly strong start to their education. More can be done in Reception to enhance children's play and independent learning. There is not enough challenge for the most able in Reception.

Leaders monitor pupils' progress closely and take swift action to ensure that all groups achieve well. They support teachers well and provide effective training. Middle leaders are not yet having enough impact on ensuring that all teaching is highly effective.

The curriculum is well planned. Leaders are ambitious and provide stimulating and engaging experiences. In some subjects, however, skills and knowledge are not developed as well as they should be.

This particularly affects the most able.

Information about this school

St Paul's Church of England Academy converted to become an academy on 1 August 2016. When its predecessor school, St Paul's Church of England Primary School and Nursery, was last inspected by Ofsted it was judged to be good overall.

The school is now part of the Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust (MAT). The MAT is overseen by five members and a board of directors. St Paul's has its own local governing body that holds the school to account and reports to the board of trustees.

The school is led and managed by the headteacher and two assistant headteachers. The chief executive officer and director of improvement from the MAT oversee and support the work of the school. St Paul's works closely with other schools, including schools within the MAT.

St Paul's has provision for two-year-olds. St Paul's is a voluntary-controlled Church of England school within the Diocese of Chichester. It was last inspected under section 48 of the Education Act 2005 in April 2017.