Catsfield Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy, safe and thriving in this caring and ambitious village school. The vision to 'nurture the spirit, grow the mind and love your neighbour' is fulfilled daily by joyful pupils and dedicated staff.

Behaviour is positive from the classroom to the playground. Expectations are high for all. Published test results were weaker in 2023, but pupils' attainment is now strong across the curriculum.

Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are achieving well.

Pupils' personal development is exceptional. In the caring early years environment through to responsibilities in key stage 2, pupils blossom with extensive enrichment..../>
The school brings out the best in everyone. Pupils' talents are promoted and celebrated from the sports pitch to the theatre. Trips and visits provide inspiration for learning.

There are endless opportunities including geography fieldwork, science celebrations and historical enquiry. These rich experiences are accessible to all. The school ensures that disadvantaged pupils benefit particularly well from this impressive offer.

The school prioritises pupils' mental health, well-being and character development throughout the curriculum and school life. Pupil leadership roles are widespread. Year 6 buddies proudly support children in Reception.

The elected school councillors are pro-active, making a tangible difference to the community.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Children have settled and adapted to school life well in early years. They are learning sounds accurately with effective support from the caring staff team.

The sharp focus on early reading continues into Year 1 and beyond. Teachers check gaps and provide swift help to stop anyone falling behind. Staff are well-trained, ensuring that catch up activities provide an essential boost for any pupils who struggle.

Pupils become fluent, confident, and motivated readers. The school's approach to mathematics is also consistent across the four classes. As a result, pupils now show secure understanding of mathematical concepts and procedures by the end of key stage 2.

Published tests in mathematics reflected poor progress in 2023, but this subject is now a strength, with pupils producing high-quality work.

All subjects are planned well from early years to Year 6. The school has diligently defined the essential knowledge, skills and language they want pupils to learn.

Subject expertise is strong across staff as a result of ongoing training and collaboration with local schools. Teachers bring learning to life with role play, drama and high-quality interaction. In history, pupils learn about civil rights and racism, taking inspiration from Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King.

Local trips and real artefacts make learning hands-on and memorable. This means that pupils become engaged and immersed. Most pupils learn and remember key content well over time, aided by the way teachers check their understanding.

Curriculum improvements need more time to embed to ensure that every lesson is taught as consistently well as the best.

Conduct around school is calm and purposeful. Relationships are warm, caring and kind.

When staff remind pupils of expectations, they respond well and are particularly proud to win 'values points' for their positive behaviour. The school has worked diligently to ensure that pupils attend school well, reducing persistent absence to well below national average. This effort must continue, as some pupils with SEND do not attend highly enough, which means they miss out on high-quality support provided by the school.

Personal development is excellent. Across the classes, a focus on multicultural awareness has developed understanding of different faiths, providing excellent preparation for the modern world. 'Values days' celebrate a different school value every term.'

Life Skills' books showcase pupils' excellent understanding of mental, physical and emotional health. Pupils learn to reflect, and this has nurtured an inclusive mindset for all. Pupils are passionate about standing up to prejudice.

They show secure understanding of online safety, healthy relationships, and environmental issues.

Leaders have secured improvements with dedication and compassion. The leadership team is relatively new and has engaged well with external support.

Staff morale is high. Everyone feels supported, happy and proud. Governors fulfil duties well, harnessing expertise across the governing body to support functions such as school finance.

Some parents and carers have had concerns about support for pupils with SEND in the past. SEND provision is now a strength. Staff sharply identify when pupils need extra support and put extensive help in place, from individual resources to targeted intervention activities.

This support is given with expertise and kindness to help pupils blossom academically and emotionally. Many parents are pleased with this effective provision, saying that their children are 'flourishing' and 'achieving their very best as part of a caring community'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some of the recent curriculum improvements need more time to embed. As a result, some pupils do not learn and remember knowledge securely across the whole curriculum. The school must ensure that teaching is consistently effective so that pupils achieve highly across all subjects.

Also at this postcode