High Ham Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school. It is well led and managed and much appreciated by parents and carers. The highly astute headteacher is ably supported by senior and other staff and members of the governing body.

Staff have high expectations of themselves and their pupils, although they do not systematically share the very best practice evident in school. All groups of pupils, regardless of their starting points or differences in their backgrounds, achieve well in English and mathematics. They make good use of their key literacy, mathematical and technology skills in other subjects.

The school has successfully increased links with parents and carers. This is having a positive impact on pupils' learning,... especially in reading for the younger pupils. More pupils attain higher National Curriculum levels by the end of Year 6 than is typical nationally, with a greater proportion of these in mathematics than in English.

Pupils routinely behave well in lessons and around school. They are respectful of each other and the adults who support them. They appreciate their safe school environment and develop a good understanding of safety issues.

Typically, teaching is good. Lessons are well planned to meet the needs of different groups of pupils. There are examples of outstanding teaching, including some teaching of reading, which result in pupils making exceptional progress in a short space of time.

In these lessons, pupils have excellent opportunities to reflect on and articulate ideas about their learning and so identify what they need to do next. On some occasions, opportunities to accelerate learning for higher ability pupils in this way are missed as sometimes they remain working alongside their classmates for too long.

Information about the school

Since the previous inspection the number of pupils on roll has increased, although the school remains of an average size compared with other primary schools.

The increase in pupil numbers has resulted in the school providing an extra teacher and an extra class during the mornings this year. This allows all pupils to be taught in single year groups during the morning, whereas during the afternoons there are three mixed-age classes for pupils in Years 2, 3, 4 and 5. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught as one class.

Most pupils are from White British backgrounds. There are no pupils who speak English as an additional language. The percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is lower than the national average.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is lower than is typical nationally. The school meets the current floor standard. More pupils join the school during Key Stage 2 than is typical nationally.

There is private pre-school provision on site. It is not managed by the governing body and did not form part of this inspection. Since the previous inspection, the school has gained the Silver Eco award.

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