Markyate Village School and Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school.

There has been good improvement since it was last inspected. That report noted that the headteacher was leading the school on a 'journey of improvement'. These improvements have now become more established, creating the conditions for good learning.

Because teaching has improved since the last inspection and the learning in most lessons is good, pupils make good progress across the school. They achieve well and enjoy school, reflected in their above average attendance. The improved progress also means that attainment has also improved.

Pupils are proud of their school. Pupils report feeling safe in school. It is a friendly place and pupils are confident that st...aff will handle any issues that they might have.

Behaviour is good and because they have developed good attitudes to learning and want to do well, pupils work hard in their lessons. They respond well to the stimulating and wide-ranging opportunities provided within the curriculum. Pupils have a good understanding of what makes a healthy lifestyle, for example the importance of a balanced diet and exercise, and many pupils participate enthusiastically in the range of sporting activities provided within the school.

Pupils take their various roles and responsibilities seriously. The school council is effective because : council members are very aware of their representative role and ensure that they make things happen for the benefit of the school community. Teaching is good in most lessons.

Occasionally it is outstanding. When this occurs there is a strong sense of teachers working with the pupils in partnership, tapping into and fostering their creativity and the quality of their thinking. By providing opportunities for pupils to show initiative and take responsibility for aspects of their learning in the outstanding lessons pupils develop their independent skills particularly well.

The senior leadership team work well together. The periodic meetings with class teachers focused on pupils' progress have been a key ingredient in ensuring improvements and more even progress across the school. These meetings are based on careful evaluation of school data.

Targets are appropriately challenging. Given the effectiveness of the changes since the last inspection the school's leadership has good capacity for sustaining improvement. There is a clear understanding of the school's strengths and what needs to be improved although judgements in the school's self-evaluation are often cautious.

The school improvement plan accurately identifies key priorities for the school. Its effectiveness as a tool for improvement is limited by the fact that it does not identify with precision and, where appropriate quantify, the objectives for the identified priorities. This makes it more difficult to monitor the initiative's effectiveness.

Information about the school

The school is a little smaller than the average primary school. Pupils come from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds but the large majority of pupils are of a White British heritage. There are a small number of pupils who are learning English as an additional language but none are at an early stage of learning English.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is similar to that seen in most schools. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is low and the percentage with statements detailing their educational needs is below average. The Early Years Foundation Stage comprises a part-time nursery (mornings) and a Reception class.

This takes in new children in September and January. As part of its extended school provision, the school operates a breakfast club, a lunchtime club for nursery pupils and an after school club for two evenings per week. The school has gained Healthy School Award, Activemark and the International Award (Foundation Level).