Charleton Church of England Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

All leaders, including governors, have worked hard to establish a school which pupils are proud of and where they are made to feel special. They have ensured that teaching is good across the school. Provision in the early years is good.

Children enjoy learning and make good progress. All groups of pupils make good progress in all year groups. Those pupils that join the school part-way through the year catch up quickly.

Teachers have good subject knowledge and use questioning well to motivate and engage pupils in their learning. The federation provides effective support for all leaders which is helping to drive improvements quick...ly, especially in the quality of teaching. Pupils feel extremely safe.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary in lessons and around the school. Attendance is above average because pupils enjoy coming to school. The curriculum is highly effective in the way it promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

This is strongly reflected in the way pupils show high levels of care and respect for each other. It is not yet an outstanding school because: Occasionally, teachers do not provide enough challenge for the most able pupils. Teachers' marking does not always give pupils clear next steps to show how they can improve their learning.

Pupils have too few opportunities to practise using and applying their mathematical skills in other subjects.

Information about this school

This school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. The school is part of the Kingsbridge Area Church School Federation.

The school is federated with West Alvington Church of England Primary School and All Saints Church of England Primary School, Thurlston. The schools have an executive headteacher and share a single governing body. In the academic year 2013/14 there were no pupils in Year 6.

During the past academic year a significant number of pupils have joined the school in the different year groups. There are now pupils in all year groups. Pupils are taught in mixed-age group classes, including those from the Reception class.

Reception pupils attend school full-time. Almost all pupils are from White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils who are disabled or who have special educational needs is above average.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils who are supported by the pupil premium is well below average. There were no pupils in Year 6 in 2014 to assess whether the school meets the government's current floor standards. On the second day of the inspection, the mixed Year 1 and Reception class was out on a trip all day.