Blakedown CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher has worked effectively with senior leaders and governors to raise standards since the last inspection. Outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics for pupils across the school have risen. They are consistently above national averages at the end of key stage 1 and key stage 2.

The quality of governance is very good. Governors know the school well, visit regularly and now hold leaders to account by asking challenging questions. Middle leaders have developed strong leadership skills.

They are instrumental in driving the improvements seen in English and mathematics. The quality of teaching has improved and is now consistently... good. Effective teaching sequences are used to develop pupils' knowledge over time.

Teachers know their pupils well. Where teaching is good, pupils work hard and make strong progress. However, there are occasions when expectations are not consistently high enough and basic errors go unchecked.

The teaching of phonics and early reading skills is a strength of the school. Outcomes in reading at the end of key stage 2 have improved. On occasions, however, adults miss opportunities to check pupils' understanding of new vocabulary.

Pupils with special education needs and/ or disabilities (SEND) are effectively supported. However, they are not always encouraged to work independently. This limits the progress they make.

The curriculum provides an abundance of rich learning opportunities. Leaders constantly review and refine it to ensure that all pupils are interested and engaged. Early years provision is good.

Children settle well and make good progress. They are well prepared for Year 1. Pupils enjoy coming to school.

Attendance is good and consistently above national averages. Pupils are very well behaved and polite. Leaders have ensured that pupils are well cared for and make very good provision for their personal development.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Numbers on roll continue to rise as a result of the increase in the school's admission number in September 2014. Pupils are currently taught in single-age groups up to and including Year 4.

The remaining mixed-age class is for pupils in Years 5 and 6. The early years consists of one Reception class, which children attend full time. Most pupils are of White British heritage and all speak English as their first language.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium funding is well below the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is similar to the national average. A smaller proportion of pupils have an education, health and care plan than is found nationally.

An Ofsted monitoring visit was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005 in July 2017. The school was judged to be outstanding at its last section 48 inspection in May 2017. A section 48 inspection reports on the religious character of the school.

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