Alveston CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school.

It is not yet outstanding because pupils' progress in lessons and over time is good rather than better and because attainment in writing is not as high as it is in reading and mathematics. What stands out at this school is the excellent, innovative curriculum which promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development exceptionally well. Pupils benefit from a rich variety of opportunities to reflect on and learn a great deal about their own and other cultures.

The stimulating curriculum also ensures pupils are engaged and interested in learning. As a result, their behaviour is exemplary and they are eager and enthusiastic learners. Pupils feel very safe at s...chool and know a lot about how to keep safe.

Attainment is above average. It is especially high in mathematics because pupils benefit from numerous opportunities to learn through practical activities and investigation. Though attainment in writing is above average, it lags behind that in reading and mathematics.

Teaching is consistently good throughout the school. This represents an improvement since the time of the last inspection because there has previously been variation in rates of progress between key stages. Teachers are particularly successful in motivating pupils so that they work hard and do their best.

Work in lessons is not always tailored, however, to meet the different needs of pupils of widely different capabilities. Marking mostly gives pupils good guidance on how to improve their work but this is not consistent in all classes and in every subject. In this well run school, leaders and managers have had success in raising attainment by improving provision and performance in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.

There is much monitoring of teaching, although this sometimes gives an overly positive view because leaders' lesson observations and their checking of planning has tended to focus more on the features of teaching than on its impact on the learning and progress of pupils of all abilities.

Information about the school

Although the school is smaller than average, the number of pupils on roll has increased since the time of the last inspection. The accommodation has also been extended.

Whereas, previously, pupils were taught in mixed-age classes, there is now a separate class for each year group. Most pupils are White British. The percentage of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is half the national average, as is the proportion learning English as an additional language.

The percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is average. The school meets the government's current floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for attainment and progress at the end of Year 6.

Also at this postcode