Clehonger CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Since their appointment 18 months ago, senior leaders have led the rapid improvement of the school. The quality of teaching, especially the teaching of mathematics, is rising steeply. Teachers set work that builds effectively on the differing abilities of pupils in the class.

Tasks are appropriately challenging. Leaders have introduced a broad curriculum in which ideas are often linked in imaginative ways. Learning is well paced and engaging.

Teachers question pupils well to check on and deepen their understanding. However, sometimes staff do not pick up on pupils' misconceptions and ensure that they learn from them. The school promotes r...eading effectively.

Most pupils enjoy reading. A few remain reluctant to read for pleasure, which holds back their progress. The teaching of phonics is effective.

The school is in the early stages of implementing an approach to reading that focuses on the skills older pupils need to read well. Staff and pupils benefit in important ways from support provided by the Herefordshire Marches Federation of Academies. In 2018, the school's published outcomes were disappointing.

However, current pupils are making consistently strong progress in reading, writing and mathematics. The school has the overwhelming confidence of parents and carers. Relationships are very strong.

Staff look after pupils very well. Safeguarding is effective. Pupils' behaviour is good.

They conduct themselves well at social times. In class, they enjoy their work and concentrate hard. Pupils present work neatly and cooperate effectively.

The early years benefits from particularly skilled leadership. Leaders refine teaching to address any gaps in children's skills. As a result, they make strong progress.

A core of governors exercises effective oversight of the school. They question leaders about pupils' progress and the quality of teaching. However, there are vacancies on the governing body and responsibilities need to be spread more evenly.

Information about this school

Clehonger Church of England (C of E) Primary School is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The number of pupils in each year group is uneven, and there are currently few pupils in Year 4. Pupils are taught in mixed-age classes.

The school provides a breakfast and after-school club, for which it charges parents. The school's religious character was last inspected in May 2016. Children attend full-time in the Reception Year, and part-time in the pre-school.

The school admits two-year-olds. Some pre-school children also attend other pre-school settings. The head of school and the executive headteacher joined the school in January 2018.

The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged is slightly below average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is slightly above average. The report does not comment on disadvantaged pupils or pupils with SEND in any one year group, because : numbers are small and to do so would risk identifying individual pupils.