Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School continues to be a good school.

What is it like to attend this school?

Since the previous inspection, staff have continued to ensure that pupils are well cared for. Staff know pupils well.

One parent summed up the views of many in saying that the school is a 'happy, safe and fun place for my child to learn'.

Pupils enjoy coming to school. They study a range of subjects through the school's chosen topic approach.

For example, pupils in Year 6 speak enthusiastically about the 'crime and punishment' theme. Pupils particularly like art, where they say they can 'let their imagination run wild'.

There are many opportu...nities for pupils to be leaders.

They take on responsibilities such as being junior road safety officers or school councillors. They take these roles seriously and know that they are expected to be good role models to others.

Most pupils behave well.

Behaviour in the playground is busy yet well managed. Pupils get on well together. Pupils who find it difficult to manage their behaviour are given the help that they need.

Pupils understand what bullying is. They say that bullying rarely happens. Pupils are confident that teachers will deal with it quickly if it ever happens.

Pupils say they can talk to an adult if they are worried about anything.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Since her appointment, the headteacher has gained a detailed understanding of what is working well and what needs to be better. Leaders are bringing about the necessary improvements to the quality of education that pupils receive.

Staff are positive about the recent changes. Morale is high and teachers enjoy working at the school. Staff share the headteacher's high expectations for what pupils can achieve.

Leaders have improved the quality of education. They have carefully considered what they want pupils to learn. Links, including subject specialists at the local college, have helped leaders to design a curriculum which develops pupils' skills and knowledge over time.

This includes opportunities to learn about the local community, for example in history. Pupils' work across the curriculum is of a good standard.

Leaders have placed a strong focus on reading.

Pupils have developed a love of reading. They have access to interesting books from the school library, which they enjoy. Children in the Reception Year begin learning phonics when they start school.

Adults teach phonics effectively. They give pupils who are struggling to learn phonics well-judged extra help. This ensures that these pupils close the gaps that they have in their phonics knowledge.

Teachers have good knowledge of a range of subjects due to the high-quality training they receive. They use this well to plan and teach the curriculum. For example, in writing, teachers make sure that sequences of learning are ordered well for pupils to build on skills they have already learned.

However, some teachers are not giving pupils work that is demanding enough. Pupils enjoy a challenge. One pupil said, 'When we are not challenged, we are not learning.'



Leadership roles are evolving across the school. Senior leaders have provided clear direction so that all leaders understand what is expected of them. That said, a few leaders are new to their role and have not developed the range of skills and knowledge they need.

Most parents are happy with the improvements that leaders have made, particularly the better communication between school and home. Parents report that they know more about their child's progress and what is happening within school.

Leaders make sure that pupils' personal development is enriched by many interesting activities and opportunities.

For example, pupils learn how to stay safe, and they take part in the clubs and fundraising activities on offer. Pupils have a good understanding of British values and how they link to the school values. Pupils use the school values in their day-to-day life.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive appropriate support. They are fully included in all aspects of school life. Staff know pupils' needs well.

Most pupils with SEND who have fallen behind catch up due to the good quality of support that they receive.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff are vigilant and well trained.

Daily morning meetings ensure that staff are regularly updated and well informed about issues relating to pupils' well-being. Adults know pupils well and are quick to identify and report any signs that may indicate a pupil is at risk of harm.

Staff know the procedure for recording and monitoring concerns and use it appropriately.

The safeguarding team is quick to follow up issues and take appropriate action. Members of this team work closely with relevant agencies so that pupils get the support that they need.

Governors ensure that the school's safeguarding procedures are effective.

They monitor leaders' actions to be certain that the correct checks are made on everyone who works in the school.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Some leaders are at an early stage of taking responsibility for a subject. They are enthusiastic and keen to develop their subjects further.

Senior leaders should continue to provide new leaders with the support that they need. This will ensure that they develop the skills and knowledge they need to be highly effective in their role and hold others to account. .

Teachers use assessment to inform their teaching. For example, in mathematics, teachers use their assessment information to inform their teaching, check pupils' understanding and identify pupils who need further support. However, on occasion, some teachers provide work that is not challenging enough.

This leads to pupils not fully engaging in their learning. Teachers should ensure that work is suitably demanding so that pupils achieve well.

Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good.

This is called a section 8 inspection of a good or non-exempt outstanding school. We do not give graded judgements on a section 8 inspection. However, if we find some evidence that the school could now be better than good or standards may be declining, then the next inspection will be a section 5 inspection.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the section 8 inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will convert the section 8 inspection to a section 5 inspection immediately.

This is the second section 8 inspection since we judged the school to be good on 17–18 January 2011.