Mells Church First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The new headteacher provides clear direction and has inspired the staff team to make improvements to the quality of their teaching.

As a result, teaching and pupils' achievement are now good. The recent partnership with a local school, together with the appointment of an executive headteacher, has greatly improved the quality of leadership and management. Senior leaders check the quality of teaching effectively.

They follow up their checks with helpful advice and training. This has ensured that the quality of teaching, learning and assessment has improved. Teachers know their pupils very well and plan to make learning challenging and inte...resting.

As a result, all groups of pupils make good progress. The good progress made by pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is the result of careful analysis of their needs and the effective support provided. The most able pupils are stretched well in their learning so that they reach high standards.

The needs of disadvantaged pupils are well catered for, so they make good progress and achieve as well as other pupils nationally from similar starting points. The provision in the early years is good. Children make a positive start to school and make good progress because of effective teaching.

Pupils' behaviour is good. They feel safe in school because the adults provide a secure environment in which to learn. Governors have a very good understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development, enabling them to challenge leaders effectively.

They have been successful in maintaining the confidence of parents during a time of considerable change.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. This school is smaller than the average first school.

Pupils are organised in three classes, all of which are mixed-age; one class for the Reception children and a small proportion of Year 1 pupils; one class for Year 1 and Year 2 pupils and one for Year 3 and Year 4 pupils. Most pupils are of White British heritage. The school is part of an informal partnership with Beckington Church of England First School.

The executive headteacher, who previously supported the school's leadership as a local leader of education (LLE), took up post in May 2016. The school also belongs to the Frome Learning Partnership, consisting of 17 local schools. The school provides care for pupils through a breakfast and after-school club.

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