Elham Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The proportion of pupils leaving with attainment that is above the national average has risen since the time of the last inspection.

Attainment in reading and mathematics is above average. The progress that pupils make by the time they leave school is also now above the national average. Reading is a clear strength.

All pupils, including pupils eligible for the pupil premium, disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, achieve well. Teaching is typically good because teachers extend pupils' knowledge and understanding through good subject knowledge, skilled questioning and marking that effectively moves pupils on in their l...earning. Pupils enjoy coming to school.

This is reflected in a significant improvement in attendance to above the national average. Pupils are engaged and purposeful in their learning. They feel safe and have a strong sense of care and responsibility toward one another.

The headteacher and senior leaders, including governors, are clear in their ambition to achieve the highest academic and personal outcomes for all pupils. A well-informed governing body holds the school to account. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Too few pupils in Key Stage 2 make outstanding progress in writing and mathematics.

On a very few occasions pupils do not get the opportunity to fully develop their ideas and do their best. Class teachers do not always ensure that the time and skills of additional adults are used effectively to ensure pupils do as well as they can.

Information about this school

This is a smaller-than-average primary school where children start school in the Reception class.

Most pupils are from a White British background. The remaining pupils are from a range of minority ethnic backgrounds. Very few pupils are learning English as an additional language.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action and school action plus is below that in most schools. The proportion of pupils with a statement of special educational needs is well below the national average. Approximately 5% of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium funding, which is below the average for most schools and equates to a few pupils across the school.

In the last two years there have been significant staff changes. A new headteacher has been appointed after a period of interim leadership and a new teacher has joined the school. There has been some restructuring and realignment of roles and responsibilities across the school, including the governing body.

The school provides a breakfast club. Pupils also attend after-school provision not led or managed by the school. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.