Clatford Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Parents, staff and pupils are overwhelmingly positive about Clatford Primary because they rightly believe that this is a school where every child matters and everyone is valued. Irrespective of ability or background, pupils' achievement is outstanding, teaching is never less than consistently good and pupils invariably enjoy school.

Attainment at the end of Key Stages 1 and 2 has been significantly above average for some time, and Year 6 pupils' progress across Key Stage 2 has placed the school in the top 4% of schools nationally for the past three years. Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning and feel extremely safe in this welcomin...g and nurturing school. They are courteous and socialise well together.

The headteacher 'leads by example'. She is an outstanding model for staff and pupils in her commitment and dedication and her aspiration for all pupils to succeed. The headteacher is held in high esteem by the local authority and alongside other leaders, supports local schools in sharing best practice.

Precise checks by leaders on teaching and thorough review of how well the school is doing mean that they have a complete understanding of the school. Governors and other leaders plan carefully for development at every level, and actively pursue excellence. As a result, both teaching and achievement are now outstanding.

Subjects are extremely well planned and pupils have lots of opportunities to learn numeracy and literacy across subjects in creative, innovative and memorable ways. Teachers have strong subject knowledge, they work hard to support pupils and provide them with regular and high-quality feedback in marked work. Through reflection corners, assemblies, 'sing up' afternoons and a wide array of enrichment activities, pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted extremely well.

One parent said, 'While the school's academic results stand for themselves, this is a school that develops the whole child and nurtures whatever talent can be found in each child.'

Information about this school

Clatford Church of England Primary School is slightly smaller than the average primary school. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage, with very few pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds or who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action is above average. The proportion of pupils supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of pupils supported through the pupil premium, which is additional funding for pupils eligible for free school meals, those in the care of the local authority or those with a parent or carer in the armed services, is well below average.

There are very few pupils from each of these groups in the school. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. There has been a number of changes to staff recently, including a restructuring of senior leadership following the retirement of the deputy headteacher and the promotion of the Key Stage 2 leader to this position, as well as the arrival of a new member of staff who joined at the start of this academic year.