Kinlet CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher and governors are highly ambitious and have a clear vision for the school.

Their leadership has been successful in securing the necessary improvements. The staff share the headteacher's vision and maintain the culture of high expectations. This results in pupils' education remaining the key focus.

Governors are effective. They carry out their roles professionally and always act in the best interest of the pupils. They know the strengths and weaknesses of the school well.

The federation formed with another local school is proving to be very beneficial for the staff and pupils at Kinlet. It is enables the team to bu...ild on the best practice and plan joint curriculum activities. Teaching is typically good.

Teachers provide challenge and make learning fun and relevant, which captures pupils' interests and engages them in their learning. Pupils currently in the school make good gains in reading, writing and mathematics. Disadvantaged pupils, most-able pupils and those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities also make good progress.

Pupils' personal development, behaviour and welfare are good. Pupils are polite and courteous to each other and adults. They display positive attitudes to learning.

Parents and carers are happy about the quality of education that the school provides. Staff understand how to keep pupils safe. There are clear systems in place so that staff know exactly what to do should they have a concern that a pupil may be at risk from harm.

Consequently, pupils feel safe in school. The curriculum is stimulating and engaging. However, leaders rightly recognise that the progression of skills is not yet developed for all subjects.

Pupils do not have enough opportunities to write at length across a wide range of subjects. Pupils enjoy writing and make good progress. However, they do not have enough opportunities to evaluate the quality of their writing and make improvements.

Handwriting is not consistently of a high standard across the curriculum. Mathematics is taught well, and standards are improving. However, pupils do not fully develop and apply reasoning skills.

Information about this school

Kinlet CofE is very much smaller than the average-sized primary school, with only two classes: Reception, Years 1 and 2 and Years 3 to 6. The school is federated with a local primary school. The governing body is joint for the two schools but there are separate headteachers.

The headteacher is the only member of staff with a leadership allowance. The headteacher and chair of governors were in post at the previous inspection. Otherwise, there have been staff changes since the previous inspection.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have SEN is just below the national average. The proportion with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is above average. The majority of pupils are from a White British background.

There are no pupils identified whose first language is not English. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils, for whom the pupil premium funding provides support, is similar to the national average. The school has had too few pupils in its last two Year 6 classes for them to be measured meaningfully against the current government floor standards.

These are the minimum expectations for pupils' progress and attainment in English and mathematics. The proportion of pupils who arrive at the school or leave the school during the school year is higher than the national average. The school is supported by an education improvement adviser who is part of the local authority.