Countess Anne Church of England School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at Countess Anne Academy. Their interests and talents are positively nurtured, helping them to excel both academically and socially.

Pupils bubble with excitement as they talk about their experiences and opportunities. They told us that their school was great, and nothing could improve it. Pupils are proud of their achievements.

Chelsea Flower Show gold medals, self-made films and singing performances reflect some of the high standards and quality of work pupils produce.

The school's 'golden values' are well embedded in the life of the school. Pupils live these values through their relationships with one another and their teachers.

Pupi...ls are sensitive to the needs of others and look for opportunities to help each other. They value and celebrate the differences in one other; this is reflected across the whole school community.

At the heart of the school's work is pupils' safety and well-being.

Pupils have every confidence in adults to look after and care for them. Pupils said that they would talk to staff or use worry boxes to share any concerns. They told us that they don't remember any bullying occurring in their school.

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

Leaders have worked meticulously to improve the school since the previous inspection. Pupils access a rich and vibrant curriculum that is founded upon a solid understanding of their needs. Pupils achieve well from their starting points and are exceptionally well prepared to move on to secondary school by the end of Year 6.

Governors are very thorough in the checks that they make on whether leaders are doing the best that they can for pupils in the school. Consequently, all areas of the school's work are judged to be outstanding.

The school's curriculum is extremely well organised.

For each subject, lessons over time are very well planned. As a result, pupils develop a deep understanding in each subject and make links between subjects. This curriculum is enhanced through well thought out and memorable practical experiences, trips and visits.

For example, pupils work with professional engineers to build moon buggies. Pupils use their intricate and thorough knowledge of space, gravity, friction and mathematics in order to design and create their buggies.

Leaders ensure that teachers know how to teach each subject well.

Teachers receive high-quality training and use this effectively. Teachers are adept at spotting where pupils are finding work too easy or too hard and amend their teaching quickly. Teachers have an excellent understanding of how to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The support is well targeted. It meets pupils' social and emotional needs as well as their academic needs. The highly inclusive nature of the school ensures that pupils with SEND achieve well.

Children in the early years make a flying start to their education. Leaders quickly identify children's needs and adapt their plans to support children's early development. Children become confident and settle well.

Classrooms are exciting, lively places where activities encourage children's curiosity, imagination and exploration. Adults work alongside children very effectively. They listen to children's ideas to develop their interests and experiences.

For example, a well-planned hairdressing salon allows children to explore their speaking and listening skills. As a result, children develop their language and vocabulary quickly.

Children make a strong start with early reading.

Adults are well trained and ensure that pupils quickly secure their knowledge of phonics. Pupils apply their knowledge well to their reading and writing. For example, Year 1 pupils used their phonics to spell different words describing the journey in the book 'Bear Hunt'.

Pupils read widely and speak excitedly about the range of books they read at school.

Owing to strong curriculum planning and high-quality teaching, pupils are enthused by their learning. They actively seek to find ways to apply their learning in more complex ways.

For example, children in the early years are able to concentrate on tasks for long periods of time because they are keen to learn. Pupils in Year 6 use their knowledge of the water cycle to create their own working model in the school grounds representing a wetland drainage system.

Pupils' enthusiasm and learning are particularly evident in music, which is a significant strength of the school.

Pupils are taught to find their singing voice very early on in the curriculum. Teachers skilfully model the songs and encourage pupils to sing out aloud. By revisiting familiar tunes, pupils increase their knowledge of pitch, melody and rhythm.

This leads to pupils performing independently to a very high-quality level.

Leaders go the 'extra mile' to promote pupils' personal development. Extra-curricular activities are well considered to develop pupils' sense of themselves.

Roles such as a 'make believer' engage pupils to think about how they become responsible and active citizens. Every opportunity is taken to promote pupils' aspirations. They provide pupils with the confidence and resilience to think bigger and better.

For example, all pupils make films that make up the 'C.Annes film week'. They are then screened at a local cinema.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders place a high importance upon keeping pupils safe. Staff are well trained.

They are alert to any signs that pupils are at risk of harm. Systems for keeping pupils safe are woven through the school's practice. Leaders encourage staff to record any concern, no matter how small.

Records show that leaders respond quickly. They work with external agencies to check that pupils are safe. Leaders are tenacious and will pursue support for vulnerable pupils and their families.

The school's pastoral team works effectively with pupils. Pupils receive high-quality extra support for their well-being. Leaders' checks for the suitability of those who visit or work at the school are well maintained.