Epsom Primary and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have established a school where pupils' behaviour is outstanding, and teaching is good in most subjects. Consequently, most current pupils are making strong progress from their starting points. The curriculum interests pupils.

However, leadership and teaching are not as well developed in all subjects as in English, mathematics and science. The depth and challenge of teaching in different subjects, and the progression of pupils' learning, vary. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

Pupils feel extremely well supported and highly valued. They appreciate the many exciting activities that extend beyond the school day. Pupils' spiritual, mor...al, social and cultural (SMSC) development is extremely well promoted.

Pupils show that they understand the importance of listening to the opinions of others and being respectful. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly supportive of the school and of the quality of education it provides. Senior leaders make good use of information about pupils' progress to inform their work.

On occasion, though, teachers do not use this information precisely enough to ensure that classroom provision truly challenges all pupils. Disadvantaged pupils receive carefully tailored additional support to help them to achieve their best. Effective teaching helps them to catch up if they fall behind in their learning.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress. This is due to effective teaching and the reliable additional support provided by teaching assistants. Children get off to a good start in the engaging early years environment.

They enjoy rich learning experiences that help them to make good progress across all areas of their learning. Governors fulfil their roles effectively. They have an accurate understanding of the school's work and use this well to ensure that the right decisions are made.

Information about this school

Epsom Primary and Nursery School is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for the pupil premium is much higher than the national average. The proportion of pupils for whom English is not, or believed to be not, their first language is much higher than the national average.

Pupils who attend the school come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Nearly half the pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average.

Most pupils within this group have speech, language and communication difficulties. Children in the early years foundation stage are provided with specialist part-time funded nursery sessions. Parents can pay for additional hours in the Nursery classes for three-year-olds and in the two-year-old provision, known as First Steps.

There are currently two Reception classes. The proportion of pupils joining or leaving the school other than at the usual times is higher than in most other schools. The school runs a breakfast club, an after-school club and a holiday club, which are open to all children.