Little Marlow CofE School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish in this highly inclusive school.

They view the school as a 'family' where everyone knows each other well. Pupils are happy, and they attend well. The school's values are at the heart of this close community.

Pupils reflect these strongly through their considerate conduct around school. They champion friendship and help each other whenever they can.

Across the school, pupils relish learning.

In lessons, they willingly share ideas and purposefully complete learning activities. Pupils respond positively to the encouragement and praise given by staff. This helps them develop confidence in tackling learning when it is tricky.

Pupi...ls benefit from the warm relationships they share with staff and are comfortable about sharing any worries with them. They are confident these will be addressed.

Pupils contribute widely to the school.

Their efforts and successes are rewarded through the eagerly anticipated 'Star of the Week' and 'Values' awards. Through the school council, pupils share and collectively shape ideas for changes to the school. They take pride in seeing their ideas, such as the 'Secret Wood', come to life.

This ethos of togetherness and participation supports pupils in feeling valued.

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

The school has a broad and ambitious curriculum. In Reception, this builds from children's starting points, preparing them well for Year 1.

Across subjects, curriculum thinking identifies and carefully arranges the important knowledge and skills pupils need to learn. In core subjects, this is organised so that pupils deliberately revisit earlier learning while assessments identify how well they understand essential knowledge. Teachers use these to re-teach aspects where pupils' understanding is less secure.

This does not happen in some foundation subjects. Consequently, teaching moves on to new learning without addressing pupils' knowledge gaps and does not support them in remembering important ideas over time.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge.

They use this to explain new ideas clearly, illustrating them with helpful examples. Learning activities are mostly well resourced and support pupils in applying new knowledge. The needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified in 'Individual Educational Plans'.

However, there is variation in how well teachers draw on these and adapt their teaching for pupils with SEND. In some lessons where adaptations are not precise enough, these pupils can struggle to start learning activities. This is not the case for pupils with more complex SEND, where staff provide effective support that helps pupils to achieve well.

Reading is a high priority across the school. From Reception onwards, children enjoy listening to carefully chosen stories that capture their imagination. There is a sharp focus on early reading, with children learning phonics from the beginning of Reception.

Staff quickly identify any individuals who are struggling and provide targeted extra sessions that help them catch up rapidly. The wider reading curriculum carefully develops pupils' enthusiasm for reading through diverse texts.

Across the school, pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

This starts in Reception, where children learn routines and develop language, which supports them in learning well. In lessons, pupils show excellent attitudes to learning, contributing enthusiastically to discussions and completing activities to a high standard. They listen attentively to staff and willingly follow instructions.

Around school, older pupils act as role models, playing considerately and helping younger children when they can. For individuals with more challenging behaviour needs, highly effective pastoral support helps them learn how to manage their emotions.

There is rich work to develop pupils' character.

The school focuses on broadening horizons and developing confidence. Pupils explore the value of diversity through assemblies and visiting speakers from wide-ranging backgrounds. To support the inclusive school community, they learn ways of overcoming differences, such as communicating through Makaton.

Pupils are encouraged to be aware of important issues such as local river pollution and consider how they can make a difference in these. They are empowered to play a vital role across the school community through the work of the school council and undertaking a range of leadership roles, including 'play leads' and 'house leaders'. They support others in playing positively and help to run the popular house events and performances.

The school accurately understands its strengths and areas where it needs to further improve. It prioritises these, drawing on resources within the federation to support changes. Governors keep close oversight of this work, providing effective challenge.

Staff embrace change and enjoy working in the school. They appreciate the measures taken to promote their well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some foundation subjects, assessment does not check how well pupils understand or can recall important knowledge. This means pupils progress on to new learning with knowledge gaps. The school needs to further develop approaches to planning and assessment so that it addresses pupils' knowledge gaps and supports them to remember important knowledge over time in all subjects.

• In some lessons, teaching is not precisely adapted for pupils with SEND. As a result, some pupils with SEND do not always start learning activities promptly, which hinders their achievement. The school needs to ensure that teaching adaptations enable all pupils with SEND to learn effectively.