Kettleshulme St James CofE (VA) Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher's commitment and enthusiasm for knowledge are shared by staff and governors. The school's Christian values of 'Acceptance, Love and Forgiveness' are woven through all aspects of the school's work. Governors use their knowledge and expertise well to hold leaders to account and to uphold the good quality of education that pupils receive.

They are proud to be associated with this small village school, which is the hub of the local community. Leaders' evaluation of the school is accurate and honest. They have identified correctly the priorities for further improvement and are taking the appropriate action to bring them to fruition.
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Improvements to the way reading is taught are beginning to have a positive impact on increasing the vocabulary that pupils use in their writing. In mathematics, older pupils apply their knowledge and understanding effectively to solve increasingly challenging problems and explain their reasoning. Strategies to improve pupils' basic mathematical knowledge in lower key stage 2 are beginning to impact positively on the progress that they make.

Effective teaching is underpinned by teachers' strong subject knowledge and the good training that they receive. This contributes to the good progress that pupils make. Leaders have designed a curriculum that reflects the interests of pupils and ignites their enthusiasm for learning.

However, in some subjects, plans to ensure that knowledge builds on what pupils already know are not fully embedded. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make at least good progress from their starting points. This is because of the high-quality support they receive from skilled staff.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary, and their manners are impeccable. Extremely positive attitudes to learning are modelled and promoted consistently by staff. Pupils, especially the youngest, thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted effectively through the wide range of opportunities leaders provide. Pupils are prepared well to be responsible citizens in modern Britain. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school.

A typical comment was: 'This is an amazing little school at the heart of the community. It's more than just a school, it's a family.'

Information about this school

Kettleshulme St James is much smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils who are entitled to support through the pupil premium is well below the national average. Almost all pupils are White British. There are currently no pupils in the school who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is below the national average. Currently no pupils are supported by an education, health and care (EHC) plan. There are three classes: one class for Reception-aged children and pupils in Years 1 and 2; one class for pupils in Years 3 and 4; and one class for pupils in Years 5 and 6.

The school provides a before-school breakfast club for some pupils. It is managed by the school's governing body and formed part of this inspection. The school is part of a partnership with local small schools.

During the last academic year, the headteacher supported a small local primary school. He has now returned to Kettleshulme St James full time. The school's last section 48 inspection of its religious character was in September 2013.