Frome Valley CofE VA First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils' behaviour and relationships are outstanding. All staff consistently provide the highest quality of care and fully safeguard the pupils' welfare.

Pupils feel very safe and respect the staff, themselves and each other. Pupils say, 'This is a lovely school with very kind children and adults.' Teaching is typically good with some that is outstanding.

Throughout the school, pupils are encouraged to think about their work and try to improve it themselves, underpinning their excellent attitudes to learning. Pupils' achievement is good and improving. Standards of attainment are above average and progress is quickening across the school.<...br/>
The teaching of reading and mathematics, and pupils' subsequent progress in these aspects, are particular strengths. Additional adult guidance is expertly planned to meet the needs of pupils in receipt of pupil premium funds and those who are disabled or have special educational needs. Teachers are supported well by committed teaching assistants.

The headteacher provides the school with strong leadership successfully promoting pupils' learning across a range of stimulating activities, as described in the school's motto, 'Learning as much as we can about all that we can'. Governors and senior staff fully share high aspirations and have supported the headteacher effectively to improve the quality of teaching and monitor teachers' performance. This has been successful in managing staff change and is bringing rapid improvement in pupils' achievement.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Occasionally, teachers spend too much time leading whole-class discussions, which delays some pupils from working independently and impedes the learning of those who need more support. Pupils do not always have enough time or opportunity to write by themselves and at length, including recording their ideas in the range of subjects they study.

Information about this school

Frome Valley is a below-average-sized school for pupils from Reception to Year 4.

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in a Reception class. All other pupils are grouped in separate year group classes. Most pupils attending the school are White British.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action is above the national average. The proportion supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. These proportions vary from year to year, but overall are broadly similar to those found nationally.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for children in local authority care, children from service families and those known to be eligible for free school meals) is below average. Since the last inspection, there have been staff changes, including a new headteacher and deputy headteacher. A pre-school unit for children aged from two to four years also operates on the school site and is subject to a separate inspection.