Micklefield Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school The overall effectiveness of the school has declined since the last inspection because of weak leadership and governance over time. Leadership has failed to address the areas for improvement from the previous inspection.

Capacity for improvement is not secure. Progress in reading, writing, mathematics and a wide range of subjects is highly inconsistent across key stages 1 and 2. Consequently, pupils' outcomes are inadequate.

Teachers' expectations are too low and explanations are unclear. Work set for pupils and teachers' questioning are not challenging. As a result, pupils underachieve considerably.

The work of teaching a...ssistants does not support good learning and is not checked effectively. Pupils' consistently low attendance makes behaviour inadequate. Pupils' presentation and handwriting are very variable.

Pride in work and attitudes to learning vary and are not good. Disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) underachieve. Funding for these pupils has been used inadequately.

The curriculum is inadequately taught and ineffectively planned by teachers and leaders. In early years, leadership has not ensured that children are challenged well. As a result, very few children exceed expectations.

The school has the following strengths The new headteacher and governors have a clear understanding of the significant challenges facing the school. The local authority and the diocese are supporting the school well. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is supported well by the school.

Pupils have a clear understanding of British values. Parents and carers say that their children are safe and enjoy school.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The school caters for boys and girls, aged two to 11 years of age. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported through the pupil premium is average. Almost all pupils are White British.

Exceptionally few pupils speak English as an additional language. One in ten pupils has support for SEND. This is average.

Children start early years in the school's two-year-old provision, attending each morning. Children attend part-time in Nursery and full-time in Reception. The headteacher took up post on 7 January 2019.

The previous chair of the governing body is now the vice-chair and a new chair took up post in May 2019. The school's religious character is Church of England and is part of the Diocese of York. The last section 48 inspection took place in April 2016.