St Paul’s CofE First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, senior leaders and governors have successfully improved the school since the last inspection.

They have raised pupils' achievement and the quality of teaching. These are both now good. Leaders have established a culture of high expectations for staff and pupils.

The governing body has been effective in securing stability in leadership and staffing. This has enabled the school to improve rapidly. Pupils achieve well from their starting points.

Pupils throughout the school make particularly rapid progress in reading and writing. Pupils are enthusiastic readers and enjoy writing in different styles. Most teaching in...terests and motivates pupils.

Pupils learn well as a result. Pupils say that teaching has improved. One summed up the views of others when saying that 'learning is now more fun and we look forward to lessons more.'

Pupils' progress in mathematics is not as rapid as in reading and writing. There are not enough opportunities to deepen reasoning skills or develop mathematical skills in other subjects. The early years provision is good.

Children get off to a good start to their learning. There has been a sustained improvement in children's outcomes which are now above average. The range of activities offered is not as interesting and stimulating outdoors as it is indoors.

Pupils' personal development and behaviour are good, and improved since the last inspection. Pupils are good ambassadors for the values the school holds. Pupils are friendly, kind and respectful to others.

Their attitudes to learning are positive. Attendance is above average and the proportion of pupils who are persistently absent has fallen significantly. The school has a strong partnership with parents.

Almost all are positive about all aspects of the school's work. Teachers' expectations for the most able pupils in mathematics are not always high enough. The lack of challenge in some tasks prevents pupils from developing their skills more rapidly and gaining a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

The school has not yet provided enough training in mathematics for teaching assistants so that they can fully support pupils' mathematical learning.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. There are very few pupils who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is well below average.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average. Children in the Reception class attend full time. Children in the Nursery class attend for mornings only.

Since the last inspection, the previous headteacher left the school in April 2015. The headteacher from Doxey Primary School became the executive headteacher from May to December 2015. The deputy headteacher became acting headteacher and was subsequently appointed as the school's substantive headteacher in April 2016.

The executive headteacher has acted as a consultant to the school. There have been a significant number of teaching staff changes since the last inspection. Breakfast and after-school clubs are run by external providers.