Charford First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders, governors and staff work together successfully to ensure that Charford First School is a happy and welcoming place where pupils flourish. All staff are committed to the care and welfare of pupils. Strong relationships encourage pupils to try hard and not worry about making mistakes.

This enables pupils to make good progress. Leaders work in strong partnership with staff to develop and improve teaching. They make effective use of training and external partnerships to ensure that teaching is good.

Leaders make regular checks on teaching and pupils' progress. As a result, leaders and governors have an accurate understanding of the s...chool's strengths and what could be better. Pupils' progress from their starting points is good.

Disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities make progress which is in line with other pupils, and sometimes better. The curriculum is broad and interesting. It is effective in promoting pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Children in the early years make a strong start to their education. Well-planned activities ensure that children make good progress and develop the skills they need to be independent and enthusiastic learners. Arrangements for keeping pupils safe are effective.

As a result, pupils say that they feel safe in school and that staff care for them well. Pupils' behaviour is good. They are confident learners and conduct themselves well around school.

Parents are positive about the quality of education and care provided for their children. They have confidence in leaders and staff. The vast majority of parents say that staff support their children well to make good progress.

Leaders' improvement plans are thorough but lack the precision needed to enable governors to hold them rigorously to account for pupils' outcomes. At times, there is a lack of challenge for the most able pupils or work provided for pupils who are working below age-related standards is too difficult. This slows the progress these pupils make.

Information about this school

Charford First School is larger than the average-sized first school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is broadly in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is below average.

The number of pupils with statements of special educational needs, or education, health and care plans, is below the national average. The vast majority of pupils are White British and speak English as their first language. The early years comprises three Reception classes and a morning and afternoon Nursery class.

There are also separate morning and afternoon classes for two-year-olds and rising three-year-olds. There are three classes in each year group in Year 1 to Year 4. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.