Christ Church CofE Primary School, Pennington

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This school is a safe and happy place for pupils.

Pupils enjoy coming to school and they attend regularly. Parents and carers told us that they would recommend the school to other families. One parent told us, 'Every member of staff seems to go that extra mile for children and parents.'



Leaders and staff have high expectations of pupils. They want pupils to do well. Pupils usually listen carefully.

They develop positive and respectful relationships with staff. Pupils try hard. This is because they know this is what their teachers expect from them.

Pupils understand the school rules and follow them well. They enjoy competing with other clas...ses for behaviour rewards. The pupils who spoke to us know what bullying is and say that it is very rare at Christ Church.

Pupils say that staff do not tolerate bullying and that they would put a stop to it if it happened.

Leaders provide many opportunities for pupils to develop personally. For example, pupils visit museums and places of worship.

They learn about the history of their local community. Pupils enjoy taking on responsibilities in school, such as raising money for charity.

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

Since the school was inspected in September 2018, leaders have improved the curriculum for pupils.

The curriculum is now well planned across a broad range of subjects. Across all year groups and all subjects, pupils learn topics in a logical way. This means that they build their knowledge well as they move through the school.

Overall, pupils achieve well, not only in reading, writing and mathematics, but across the curriculum.

Leaders have made reading a priority. Pupils now have a new library with an exciting range of books.

They spoke enthusiastically about their favourite books. Teachers choose books that introduce pupils to a wide range of vocabulary. Pupils develop their comprehension skills well.

Children in the Reception class start learning about phonics straight away. They practise the letters and sounds that they have learned every day. Teachers quickly provide help to anyone who falls behind.

This helps all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to read successfully,

Pupils enjoy writing. Leaders have made sure that pupils use punctuation correctly and spell more accurately. Pupils now have more opportunities to practise grammar skills and apply them to their writing across most subjects.

Pupils learn equally well across the wider curriculum. For example, pupils told inspectors that they enjoy geography lessons. Teachers ensure that pupils build on what they already know.

For example, pupils in Year 5 used map skills effectively. Pupils can remember what they have learned in earlier geography lessons. Pupils in Year 2 explained what they had learned about the Great Wall of China.

There is also a well-planned art curriculum. Older pupils learn about skills and techniques used by artists from history. For example, pupils developed their sketching skills when they looked at artworks from the Mayan period.

Pupils are proud of their work in art.

The curriculum in the early years prepares children well for later learning in key stage 1. Teachers plan exciting activities for children.

This enables all children, including those with SEND, to learn well across all areas of learning. Children learn to share resources and collaborate with each other, for example to build dens outside.

Building on from the early years, teachers in the main school plan a curriculum that is increasingly ambitious for pupils with SEND.

Leaders check the impact of teachers' plans on pupils' learning, especially in reading, English and mathematics. However, leaders recognise that in some subjects, teachers still do not adapt their plans well enough for some pupils with SEND.

The curriculum supports pupils' personal development well.

Pupils take part in trips to local museums and the library. They visit theatres and concerts further afield, for example in Manchester. Pupils raise funds for charities, and lead services at their local church.

They are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Pupils behave well as they move around school. They are polite and well mannered.

Sometimes their enthusiastic chatter in class disrupts learning for other pupils.

Staff are very positive about the improvements to the school brought about by the new headteacher and her leadership team. They feel that their opinions count.

Leaders are mindful of staff workload. Governors know the school well. They support and challenge leaders effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is a strong commitment to keeping pupils safe from harm. Leaders and governors carry out appropriate checks on new staff to ensure that they are safe to work with children.

Leaders provide a range of safeguarding training to staff. This enables staff to be vigilant, and to recognise when pupils may be at risk. Procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns are clear.

Staff follow these procedures consistently. Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe, including when online. They know who to speak to if they have any worries.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Pupils behave well in and around school. However, on a few occasions in lessons staff do not manage pupils' behaviour as well as they should. Some pupils cause minor disruption to the learning of other pupils.

Leaders should ensure that all staff address any incidents of low-level disruption that may affect other pupils' learning. . Leaders adapt their plans effectively for pupils with SEND in reading, writing and mathematics.

However, leaders recognise that in other subjects there is more to do to tailor the curriculum for these pupils. Consequently, some pupils with SEND do not achieve as highly as they could. Leaders must ensure that they adapt curriculum plans in subjects other than reading, English and mathematics, so that pupils with SEND can remember more in all subjects.