Denton CofE School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

There is a strong sense of community at this school. Pupils and staff form incredibly strong relationships. From the point that children join the school in the early years, they benefit from personalised support and guidance, which enables them to flourish.

Pupils consistently live up to the high expectations that the school has for them. They achieve very well academically as well as developing the personal and social skills they need for life beyond school.

Pupils value their education and demonstrate an impressive commitment to their learning.

Their behaviour is exceptional and they take great pride in their achievements. The school ethos focuses on strivi...ng for constant improvement. This never comes at the expense of pupils' well-being.

The school ensures that pupils have the tools they need to look after their mental health.

Pupils make excellent contributions to the life of the school and the wider community. Some pupils lead reading, chess and cheerleading clubs for their peers.

The eco-council provided helpful advice for local residents about how to use their new bins. Members of the school council organise charity events, including raising money to sponsor the education of a child in Africa.

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

The curriculum is ambitious and has been carefully designed.

Teachers know exactly what to teach and when. They understand how to ensure that pupils in mixed-age classes receive work that helps them to build their knowledge. There are no limits on what pupils can learn.

This begins in the early years, where the needs and interests of individual children have been integrated into the curriculum.

Teachers are experts in the subjects they teach. They share clear and interesting explanations of important knowledge with pupils.

Teachers carefully check what pupils know and understand. They swiftly address any misconceptions in pupils' knowledge.

Pupils develop a deep and broad knowledge of the subjects they study.

They can make connections between recent and prior learning. For example, pupils compare and contrast Islamic and Christian pilgrimage. The school has ensured that pupils understand the most complex aspects of the subjects they study.

Pupils can explain how historians know what happened in the past. They can describe the elements of a fair test in science and what they have learned when conducting experiments. Children in the early years develop similarly deep knowledge.

They are exceptionally well prepared for Year 1.

Well-trained staff expertly teach children how to read. Children quickly develop their knowledge of letters and the sounds that they make.

During their time at the school, they become confident and fluent readers. Staff take a personalised approach to ensuring that pupils read a wide range of texts and enjoy what they read. Staff identify any pupils who need extra help and ensure that they do not fall behind their peers.

Pupils take pleasure in producing high-quality writing. Pupils in Years 5 and 6 have written and published their own book inspired by Greek mythology.

This is an inclusive school.

Staff have high ambitions for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These pupils receive support linked precisely to their needs. This support ranges from effective adaptations to teaching to strategies which enable pupils to feel comfortable at school.

Pupils with SEND achieve very well.

Pupils learn in focused classroom environments. They demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges.

During social times, pupils support one another and create opportunities for their peers to learn and be successful through games on the playground.

The school's provision for pupils' personal development is exceptional. Pupils make excellent use of a wide range of sporting, musical and artistic clubs.

They build their confidence and enhance their learning by participating in a carefully designed programme of educational visits. Pupils link their learning in history and opportunities to discuss social justice by visiting local castles and manor houses. Pupils broaden their horizons.

They hear from visitors from a range of faiths and backgrounds. Pupils take issues of respect and equality seriously. They develop their ability to debate and discuss important issues sensitively and maturely.

The school has ensured that staff are in the best position possible to be successful. Staff take advantage of a wide range of training which is focused on school and individual priorities. They share incredibly positive views about the way in which their workload and well-being are considered.

Leaders, including governors, robustly evaluate the quality of the school's provision. No stone is left unturned to enhance the experiences of staff and pupils.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.