Archbishop Sumner Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The headteacher and governing body are ambitious for everyone in the school. They regularly check how well everyone is working and make sure that all resources are used to great effect to help pupils achieve as much as possible. Pupils' behaviour is excellent.

This includes the children who are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Pupils thoroughly enjoy their time at school, which is shown by their high levels of attendance and positive attitudes in class. Pupils say that they feel very safe at school.

Teachers plan lessons which capture the interest of their pupils. A particular strength of teaching is the additional w...ork which is carried out to ensure that those who are not making as much progress as expected receive special attention to help them improve in English and mathematics. The achievements of all pupils are outstanding, including those who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs or disabilities.

From starting points which are very often below the national average, they make excellent progress by the time they are in Year 6. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage begin to make very good progress from the start. Members of the governing body understand the school's strengths and weaknesses because they link with teachers to review the curriculum and monitor systems for keeping pupils safe.

Information about this school

The school is of average size. There are more boys than girls on roll, and the majority of pupils are of Black African or Caribbean heritage. The number of pupils who speak English as an additional language is twice the national average.

The number of pupils on roll has grown steadily in recent years. It has two classes which it describes as 'bulge classes' at Key Stage 1. Almost half of all pupils are eligible to receive the pupil premium.

This is additional funding made available by the government for disadvantaged pupils known to be eligible for free school meals or those who are looked after. The number of pupils who are disabled or have special educational needs is higher than the national average. In September 2014, the school opened a specialist unit for those who have speech, language and communication difficulties which supports its pupils and those from other schools in the borough Three pupils attend this unit at present.

There have been changes to the school's leadership team since the last inspection and a number of teachers have joined the school since then. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are on a site separated from the rest of the school by a road. Staff and pupils from other year groups regularly visit this site, as it contains the hall they use for music and sport.

Children attend the early years provision on a full-time basis. The school is voluntary aided and has close links with the parish church. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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