Earley St Peter’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Across the school, pupils make good progress in English and mathematics. They attain well. Pupils' writing is of a particularly high standard.

The headteacher leads the school well. She has successfully ensured that it has become good, after many years below this level. Since the last inspection, governors have continued effectively to support and challenge the school to improve and become good.

Senior leaders work closely with the staff to ensure that teaching is consistently effective across the school. They address any significant weaknesses quickly. Pupils make a good start in the early years.

There is particularly strong pro...vision in the nursery. Early years staff work very well with parents. The school evaluates itself accurately in almost all respects.

It plans further improvements aptly. This is a friendly school, with high aspirations. Parents are understandably pleased with it.

Pupils consistently behave well in lessons and around the school. They are carefully looked after and feel confident, happy and safe. Pupils who have special educational needs achieve well.

Disadvantaged pupils also achieve highly. The school supports those pupils who speak English as an additional language securely. They learn English quickly and make good progress.

Pupils enjoy a broad curriculum, with many interesting and exciting elements. This includes residential visits, sports and arts events, moments of reflection and learning outside the classroom. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The teaching of phonics (letters and the sounds that they make) is not systematically organised in the transition from Reception into Year 1.

The subjects beyond English and mathematics are not yet taught excellently. The hard work of subject leaders is not as influential as it could be. In key stage 2, the teaching of reading skills does not have high enough priority.

In a few lessons, sometimes small numbers of pupils are not quite sure what to do, or their particular needs are not closely met. They then stop work, waiting too long for help.

Information about this school

This large church-aided primary school, with a part-time nursery, serves the Reading suburb of Earley.

In each year group from Reception to Year 2, there are three classes. In Years 3 to 6, there are two classes per year group. The classes for older pupils are large, each with about 35 pupils.

The largest single ethnic group is White British. About two fifths of pupils are from this background. The school has pupils from many different backgrounds.

About a fifth are from Pakistani heritage, the next largest group. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is above average. A smaller than average proportion of pupils is considered to be disadvantaged and entitled to the support of the pupil premium.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs or disability is average. The school meets the government's minimum standards for pupils' attainment and progress at the end of Year 6. These are known as the floor standards.

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