Cold Aston Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

This successful school lives up to its mission to ensure that all pupils 'Care, Aspire, Persevere, Succeed'. This means that all pupils flourish and grow as individuals who are highly valued and extremely well supported. The headteacher's uncompromising drive for excellence and high expectations are shared by all staff and governors.

As a result, all aspects of the school's work have improved since the previous inspection. Middle leaders share the vision for continuous improvement in their areas of responsibility. Those who are new to their roles are rapidly developing the skills they need to check on the success of their actions....

Staff are challenged and supported to improve all aspects of their work. Their efforts are greatly appreciated and staff morale is high. The governing body uses the wide range of its members' skills and experience very well to support and challenge leaders consistently and effectively.

The curriculum provides pupils with an exciting range of subjects that are planned very effectively to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils feel extremely safe because : the school's work to keep them safe and secure is outstanding. Pupils' achievement is outstanding.

All pupils, including the most able, those who are supported by the pupil premium, the disabled and those who have special educational needs make rapid progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Standards by the end of Year 6 are high. In 2014, the average was over a year ahead of most Year 6 pupils nationally in reading, writing and mathematics.

Teaching is never less than good and is frequently outstanding. Teaching is creative and challenging to all groups of pupils, stretching their abilities and making them think hard. Children in the early years make excellent progress from their different starting points.

They develop their reading and writing skills very effectively and rapidly and are very well prepared for Year 1.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. Pupils are taught in four classes.

There are single-aged classes for Reception children and Year 3 pupils. Pupils in Years 1 and 2 are taught together in one class, as are pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6. Children in Reception attend full time.

Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported through the pupil premium is below average. Pupil premium is the additional funding from the government for some groups of pupils,including those known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school is a member of a local, small school, primary partnership.

A number of pupils join and leave the school during Key Stage 2 to move into independent education. The school has experienced significant changes in staff in recent years. The school provides full time provision for children in Reception.