Hintlesham and Chattisham Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy at, and enjoy attending, this school. They are polite and welcoming, both to visitors and to new pupils.

They are well behaved. They have lots of fun, enjoying making up their own games in the playground and exploring the 'wild woods' area. Their learning is enhanced with themed sessions, for example about technology in the environment.

Pupils across the school talk warmly of the 'buddy' pairs that they have, with older pupils supporting younger ones at events and when walking to the church.

The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils work hard and most achieve in line with expectations for their age.

Pupils l...earn a lot about the environment and are passionate about this, writing letters to their MP about traffic concerns outside the school. They learn about road safety and keeping themselves safe online. They feel safe in school and know adults they can talk to if they are worried or upset.

Pupils learn about a wide range of cultures and countries through the different books and topics they study. They know about key historical events in other countries, for example the civil rights movement in the USA.

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

The school's curriculum is well designed to meet the interests and needs of pupils.

It aims to broaden their horizons, with a high emphasis on understanding diversity in modern Britain and beyond. Pupils talk confidently about different important people from history from around the world.

Pupils benefit from clear explanations and demonstration of what they are learning about in lessons.

Pupils are confident using equipment in subjects such as mathematics to help visualise problems. Teachers choose to use quizzes at the start of sessions to check on previous learning. These help pupils retain key knowledge and vocabulary.

Pupils develop a wide vocabulary of different technical words linked to each subject.

Reading is at the heart of what the school does. There are many high-quality books for pupils to choose from, both at the early stages of reading and for more fluent readers.

Pupils talk enthusiastically about the different books they have read. The way that phonics is taught means that pupils learn the precise sounds they need to know next.

Pupils achieve in line with pupils nationally at the end of key stage 2 tests and assessments.

However, the school has correctly identified that pupils' writing skills are not quite as well developed as those in reading and mathematics. Some pupils have not learned strong letter formation and/or a comprehensive understanding of punctuation and grammar. This hinders fluent writing.

A greater emphasis on teaching the skills of writing is in place, but it is too early to see if it is making a difference.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs identified quickly and accurately when they join the school. They have careful adaptations made to class work and, as a result, make strong progress.

This is also the case for higher-attaining pupils.

Adults and pupils have a positive working relationship. The school expects pupils to work hard, and they do.

Pupils are given lots of responsibilities, such as being on the faith council. They learn about democracy and respect for others through their curriculum and assemblies.

Children in the early years get off to a good start.

Their teachers are very aware of individual children's next steps. The school is working to build children's confidence, particularly in writing, through activities such as 'drawing club', where children draw and write captions independently. Children have opportunities to practise skills such as reading, fine motor control, and counting throughout their play, inside and outside.

The school is well led and staff feel part of a close team. They are clear that their opinions are considered when there is a need for change. The school works closely with the multi-academy trust and staff value the professional development opportunities that they can access.

Pupils also enjoy taking part in activities as part of the larger trust, for example taking part in a studio session to record a trust song.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Not as many pupils are at the expected standard for their age in writing as in reading and mathematics.

This is because those pupils have not yet developed strong letter formation and/or punctuation and grammar skills. This means that they do not write as fluently as they could, which impedes the quality of their writing both in English and across the curriculum. The school should further improve the quality of writing teaching so that the quality of pupils' writing improves in turn.