Ickleford Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils do well in reading and mathematics and reach standards that are well above average. Children in the Reception class become more confident and less reliant on adults. They develop a good knowledge of the sounds that letters make.

Reading is taught and promoted well throughout the school, so that older pupils enjoy reading widely and confidently. Teaching is typically good, and some is outstanding, particularly when teachers modify lessons to make sure all of the pupils are learning new skills and knowledge quickly. Pupils are taught an interesting range of topics and themes.

Art and music have a high profile and, along wit...h 'values education', contribute considerably to the pupils' personal development. Pupils' behaviour is excellent and they feel safe in school. They are very attentive and concentrate on their work.

Attendance levels are high. Parents hold the school in high regard. All of the parents who responded to the Parent View questionnaire would recommend the school to others.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils are not doing as well in writing as they are in reading and mathematics. Although the school has taken steps to increase the rate of progress in writing, it is not as fast as it should be. Leaders' and governors' plans for improvement are not sufficiently sharply focused to make sure that pupils' progress in writing accelerates rapidly.

The headteacher's checking of the quality of teaching is not incisive enough for it to become outstanding.

Information about this school

The school is a smaller than average primary school. Most of the pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups and the proportion who speak English as an additional language are both well below the national average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs at school action (pupils who need extra support with their learning) is below average. The proportion at school action plus, or who have a statement of special educational needs, is broadly average.

The proportion of pupils supported through the pupil premium is below the national average. This funding supports those pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, any in the care of the local authority, and pupils who have a parent serving in the armed services. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress.

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