Milford-on-Sea Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is an outstanding school. The key factor in the school's success is the outstanding drive to move the school forward by the executive and co-headteachers and members of the governing body who set very high expectations.

This, in turn, is shared by staff who are united to ensure all pupils get off to an excellent start in their learning and do as well as they can within an exciting, nurturing learning environment. Leaders secure continuous improvement through their in-depth self-evaluation procedures and use of highly focused tracking data. The impact of the work of leaders is most noticeable in: the greater consistency and proportion of excellent teaching, the enriched curriculum, accelerated pup...il achievement and high standards.

These factors ensure an excellent capacity to sustain improvement. There is a genuine celebration of pupils' learning, as seen in the excellent displays of pupils' work. Pupils' excellent attitudes to learning and exemplary behaviour reflect the outstanding, care, guidance and support they receive which in turn ensure they become confident, independent learners.

Teaching is typically good with much that is outstanding especially in the upper year groups, as confirmed through inspection, school tracking data and pupils' high levels of attainment in English, mathematics and science by Year 6. Pupils' attainment in ICT, music, sports and art is often above that expected for their age. Pupils apply their basic skills, such as literacy and numeracy, highly effectively and they are very well prepared for their next stage of education.

They publish and sell their own newsletters locally, cost and manage enterprise ventures for fund raising and have designed, selected, costed and risk-assessed infant play equipment. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress through the school. The high quality of interventions and skilful support contribute significantly to their learning.

Teachers use assessment information exceptionally well to pinpoint those at risk of underachieving, and teachers' marking gives pupils a very clear understanding of what they need to do to improve further. Outstanding provision in the Reception classes ensures that children are engaged and well grounded for subsequent work. Most parents and carers are very positive about the improvements in provision, especially in Reception.

Two comments typified many: 'The school is really good at helping children at both ends of the spectrum' and 'The school is wonderful. I have nothing but praise for it.' Pupils really enjoy the school and are keen to share their work and ideas with visitors.

They have an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles, how to stay safe and make a significant contribution to the local community. As eco-warriors, they grow vegetables for Harvest Festival, have campaigned to save the local library and have produced road safety posters. Pupils' overall spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good.

That said, their understanding of the ethnic diversity of the wider United Kingdom community is comparatively limited. Excellent engagement with parents and carers and partnerships with others ensure knowledge and expertise are shared to maximise pupils' learning.

Information about the school

This is a larger-than-average-sized primary school.

Pupils are predominantly of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic heritages or who speak English as an additional language is very low. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is well-below average, as is the number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in two Reception classes. There are three parallel classes in Years 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6. The school provides a breakfast club and after-school clubs.

There is an on-site pre-school setting which is not managed by the governing body and was not therefore part of this inspection. The school holds a number of awards around healthy living and eco-awareness. It has also received an award for information and communication technology (ICT) and is a host school for strategic leadership in ICT.

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