Kirkoswald CofE School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

Kirkoswald Church of England Primary School is a good school.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Pupils are open to new ideas, they are fascinated by and keen to explore the world around them and to develop a very good understanding of different cultures. Outstanding care, guidance, support and safeguarding procedures ensure that pupils are safe, happy and secure.

Links with the community and a range of external partners help to meet pupils' needs and bring benefits to their learning and personal development. Pupils are keen to be involved with projects in the community and are proud of the important role they play through the school council in helping t...o improve the school. The skills and confidence that pupils develop ensure that they are well-prepared for later life.

Children's love of learning begins in the Reception class where they are well nurtured and cared for in a safe environment and make good progress. Indoor provision for young children is good but as the outdoor area is not fully incorporated into the curriculum, children have too few opportunities to enjoy their learning in the fresh air. Pupils' attainment at the end of Year 6 in English and mathematics is above the average reflecting good achievement and progress across Key Stages 1 and 2.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities make similarly good progress. The school's good curriculum is enriched exceedingly well by the many and varied activities offered in after-school clubs and curriculum themes. In Key Stage 2, the use of the outdoor area has enabled pupils to achieve personal national environmental awards for their wide range of work, including poetry and art, inspired by nature.

Pupils are well-motivated because good teaching is lively and lessons include a range of activities. However, pupils in Key Stage 1 are not always challenged enough in mathematics nor do they have sufficient opportunities to practice their mathematics across the curriculum. The extent to which pupils feel safe in school is outstanding.

Pupils trust their teachers and other adults in school and say that this helps them to always feel safe in school. The school has good capacity to improve. Its self-evaluation is accurate and a strong sense of motivation and dedication of its staff and governing body means that the school continually seeks to move forward.

Improvements have been made since the last inspection resulting in a rise in attainment. Parents and carers have positive views, a typical comment being Kirkoswald is a very caring school where staff go the extra mile. Children thrive on the nurturing of the school staff.'



Information about the school

This is a smaller than average primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible to free school meals is lower than the national average. Most children are from White British heritages.

A small number of pupils speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils with special education needs and/or disabilities is lower than usually found. Pupils are taught in three classes: Reception with Years 1 and 2; Years 3 and 4; and Years 5 and 6.

The number of pupils in each year group is usually less than 10. An independent provider runs a breakfast- and after-school club on the school site and this is subject to a separate inspection and receives a separate report which is available on the Ofsted website. The school has Healthy School status and the Activemark award.

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