Crockerne Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy being part of the 'Crockerne community'. They speak positively about their school. Their regular attendance reflects this.

Pupils say that everyone gets on. They feel that staff care for them. Parents agree.

Leaders have put the school's Christian ethos at the heart of its work. Pupils demonstrate the school's values of independence, perseverance, reflection, empathy and collaboration. In the early years, children play positively together.

They concentrate on tasks over a sustained period.

Pupils behave well in classrooms and around the school. They listen attentively to adults' instructions.

Staff meet pupils' needs effectively..., including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils feel safe in school. They say that bullying is rare.

Pupils say that if bullying occurs, staff sort it out quickly.

Pupils enjoy taking part in a range of experiences beyond the academic curriculum. Leaders organise residential trips which develop pupils' resilience.

Leaders encourage participation in sport. Many pupils represent the school in a wide variety of competitions, which boosts their self-esteem. Older pupils develop leadership skills through being 'buddies', helping younger pupils at lunchtimes.

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

The trust has ensured that recent changes in leadership have been smooth and have led to the school improving rapidly. The headteacher has quickly identified and acted on the school's strengths and weaknesses. Staff and parents speak positively about the changes to the school.

Staff feel appropriately consulted, and appreciate the consistent messages the headteacher has given them.

Leaders have prioritised the most urgent issues. For example, they have clarified exactly what pupils should learn in each subject.

As a result, pupils can do more than they could previously. For example, in art and design, older pupils use their knowledge of sketching to produce work of a high quality. Younger pupils talk knowledgeably about the Great Fire of London.

In the early years, leaders have created an ambitious curriculum that builds sequentially from Nursery to Reception.

Leaders, alongside the trust, have supported staff to help them lead subjects effectively. They have also helped to improve teachers' subject knowledge.

Staff use research to improve their own practice further.

Leaders have prioritised reading. They have introduced a new system for the teaching of early reading.

Staff have implemented the system well. Pupils quickly learn to read.

Leaders have ensured that all staff are well trained in the teaching of phonics.

Staff revisit what pupils have learned previously, so that pupils can practise the sounds again. They quickly spot any gaps in pupils' knowledge, and help those who have fallen behind. Staff adapt this support where necessary to ensure that pupils catch up quickly, including those with SEND.

Staff encourage pupils to develop a love of reading and of books. For example, parents and carers read with younger children in the weekly family story time sessions. Older pupils talk enthusiastically about their love for reading.

They read widely.

In some subjects, teachers do not check well enough what pupils can already do. They do not question pupils to extend their knowledge further.

For example, in mathematics, teaching does not always help pupils to understand and explain how they have reached an answer. Pupils' work is sometimes too easy, and does not match their needs closely enough. This means it does not deepen their knowledge as well as it should.

Knowledgeable leaders and staff in early years have created an environment where children flourish. Leaders have prioritised children's communication and language. They plan activities which develop children's spoken language.

Children display confidence and pride when talking to staff and visitors about their work. They are well prepared for Year 1.

Leaders have established a personal development curriculum which takes advantage of opportunities in the local community.

For example, pupils enjoy singing at local events. Leaders encourage pupils to take on responsibilities, such as planning and leading assemblies. Pupils understand how to keep safe, including when online.

They can recall what they have learned about Christianity. However, pupils' recall of faiths and cultures other than Christianity is too limited.

Governors and the trust know the school well.

They challenge and support leaders appropriately.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have very good knowledge of safeguarding.

They maintain well-developed systems to keep pupils safe. Leaders ensure that staff are well trained. Consequently, staff know how to identify pupils at risk of harm.

Staff's recording of concerns is detailed and timely. Leaders keep thorough records of the support families receive, and check its impact. They challenge other agencies if they feel decisions are not made in the best interests of the child.

Leaders, including governors, make frequent checks on all aspects of the school's safeguarding work. This includes checking that those they recruit are suitable to work with children.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, teaching does not check effectively what pupils can already do.

When this occurs, teaching does not help pupils to extend their thinking. Pupils do not always complete tasks that build on what they already know. Leaders should ensure that teaching considers what pupils already know, to extend pupils' knowledge.

• Leaders do not ensure that the curriculum deepens pupils' knowledge of faiths and cultures other than Christianity. Consequently, pupils' knowledge is not broad enough. Leaders should ensure that the curriculum enables pupils to learn about different faiths and cultures in order to prepare them for life in modern Britain.