Great Witchingham Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Progress in reading and writing is good because both are taught methodically and teachers all use similar methods. Pupils say they particularly enjoy learning outdoors and are proud of their follow-up work, such as their diaries. Physical and spiritual well-being is promoted by the wide range of physical education activities pupils enjoy, which also help them to work together well.

Pupils and staff make sure that the very high proportion who join other than in Reception are made welcome so they settle quickly and get on well with their classmates. Pupils' spiritual development is outstanding because it fully permeates school life. Pupils... say they feel safe and know that their welfare is at the heart of everything staff do.

Behaviour is good because clear systems are applied equally by all staff, and behaviour benefits from the positive relationships between pupils and staff. School leaders move throughout the federation, each bringing their expertise to benefit the school and its pupils. School leaders and governors have improved teaching since the last inspection through high quality training.

In turn, this has raised standards, particularly so in writing. Governors are highly organised, manage the school very well and play a full part in driving school improvement. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching, particularly of mathematics, is inconsistent because the best teaching is not used as a model by all.

Not all marking makes clear to pupils what they need to do next, nor do teachers check pupils understand and follow their guidance. Pupils do not learn quickly enough in some mathematical activities because the tasks they are given are not hard enough. Pupils are sometimes confused because not all teachers have the same understanding of how to teach calculation.

Pupils have too few opportunities to use numeracy skills to solve interesting problems.

Information about this school

This is a much smaller than average-sized primary school. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

Pupils are taught in three mixed-age classes: Reception and Year 1, Years 2 and 3, and Years 4 to 6. The proportion of pupils leaving or joining the school other than at the usual time of entry is very high. In 2012–13, for example, 25 pupils left or joined during the year; equivalent to about a third of the school population.

The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is below average. This is extra government funding for children looked after by the local authority, those known to be eligible for free school meals, and some other groups. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is above average, as is the proportion supported through school action plus.

No pupil has a statement of special educational needs. In 2013, there were insufficient pupils in Year 6 for a judgment to be made about whether the school meets the current government floor standards, the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. Since July 2011, the school has been part of the Trinity Federation of Church Schools with Hockering and St.

Peters, Easton. The schools have the same leadership team and governing body. At the time of the inspection, building works meant that the eldest class had been re-housed in the hall and the independent mothers and toddlers group were off-site for a short period of time.