Crick Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school. Improvement has been steady since the previous inspection as a result of effective leadership, management and governance.

Previous issues have been thoroughly addressed, with assessment information being used more extensively by teachers to plan challenging tasks for pupils. The senior leadership team and governing body are fully involved in monitoring attainment, and the quality of teaching is evaluated at least twice, and sometimes three times, each year. As a result, the quality of teaching and learning is good and there is a rising trend in attainment by Year 6.

However, overall attainment by Year 2 is adversely affected by the lower performance of boys in reading a...nd writing. Far fewer boys are able to match the attainment of girls in these two subject areas. Children in the Reception class have a good start to school and make good progress in all areas of learning.

This is due to the effective leadership and management of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the consistently good quality of teaching. Careful planning, following an accurate assessment when children start school, ensures that learning for girls and boys is closely matched to their individual needs. Early writing skills are not as well developed as other areas when children enter Year 1.

They are, however, improving as a result of the strong emphasis on teaching letters and sounds and staff promoting early writing skills more effectively as children work and play. Pupils' attainment is significantly above average in mathematics and above average in English by the end of Year 6. Pupils make good progress as they move through Key Stage 2.

This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities who benefit from additional support in lessons provided by staff and, on occasions, other pupils when working in small groups. The well-planned curriculum ensures that most pupils have challenging and interesting tasks to complete. Other experiences, including sporting activities, music and extra-curricular clubs such as citizenship, add considerably to pupils' enjoyment of school.

The level of care, guidance and support is good and ensures every pupil is treated equally and valued. Pupils' behaviour is good in lessons and around school, ensuring that all feel safe and special. The outstanding level of attendance reflects pupils' pride in their school and how much they enjoy their learning.'

Awesome' was the way one pupil chose to describe the school. All aspects of pupils' personal development, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, are good. This reflects the excellent relationships between staff and pupils and good quality of care, guidance and support provided by staff.

Pupils have an excellent knowledge and understanding of living a healthy lifestyle. Parents and carers, in their questionnaire responses, unanimously agree. The improvement from a satisfactory school to a good one has been achieved through the headteacher's effective leadership and management, and staff working as a cohesive team.

There is an effective partnership with other local schools and good use is made of specialist help, particularly from the staff of Dyslexia Action. This has played an important role in helping some pupils to achieve higher standards in their work. The headteacher, all staff and the dedicated governing body have a clear ambition to continue improving outcomes and provision.

Their self-evaluation of the school's effectiveness is accurate. The school makes the necessary checks on staff and volunteers and the required risk assessments are in place. However, limited whole-school training has been undertaken in implementing and monitoring policies relating to health and safety, resulting in some inconsistencies in the school's practice.

Information about the school

The school is much smaller than the average primary school and local population trends are resulting in a falling roll. Most pupils in this rural area are of White British heritage. The proportion of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is broadly average.

Very few are known to be eligible for free school meals. The school has Healthy Schools status and an Eco Award in recognition of its work in the environment. The charity Dyslexia Action maintains an outpost at the school.

Also at this postcode