Bonners CofE School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The executive headteacher's clear and ambitious vision for the future of the school is understood and shared by all staff.

She has been instrumental in securing improvements in the quality of teaching. As a result, good levels of achievement have been maintained. Pupils make good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and mathematics.

Pupils make very rapid progress in some year groups, most notably in Year 6. Pupils' attainment at the end of Key Stage 2 improved in 2014. More pupils achieved the higher standards in reading, writing and mathematics.

Teaching is consistently good, with some being outstanding. Tea...chers have increased expectations of what pupils are capable of learning. They expect all pupils to do their best and provide interesting and thought-provoking tasks.

Children in the Reception class make good progress and rapidly gain confidence. Relationships are warm and respectful. The school ensures pupils are safe, behave well and have positive attitudes to learning.

They are polite, smartly dressed, and eager to talk to visitors about their school. Staff morale is high. Every member of staff plays a valued role in the life of the school.

The school is a caring and supportive community. Governors know the school very well and provide effective levels of challenge and support. They are well informed about the quality of teaching and about the steps taken to ensure that pupils continue to achieve well.

The school has made a good start in adapting the way subjects are taught in line with national guidance. The school's work in partnership with other schools and organisations is a particular strength of the school. All those parents who responded to the online questionnaire (Parent View) feel that their children are happy in school.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : There are small variations between the progress pupils make in different year groups. Teachers do not always help pupils to improve their work or give them time to act on advice. Opportunities for teachers to learn from existing excellent practice in the school are not yet fully developed.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is average. This is additional government funding to support those pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those in the care of the local authority.

Most pupils are from White British backgrounds. The proportion of disabled pupils, pupils who have special educational needs supported at school action plus, or with a statement of special educational needs, is above average. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is average.

The school provides full-time early years provision in the Reception class. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. In January 2013, Bonners C of E School established collaboration with Buxted C of E Primary School.

The executive headteacher oversees the leadership of both schools, dividing her time equally between the two. The schools have separate governing bodies. The head of school works closely with the executive headteacher and is central to the day-to-day running of the school.