Moretonhampstead Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Moretonhampstead is a rapidly improving school that holds a respected position at the heart of the community that it serves so well.

The school is led extremely well by an inspirational headteacher who is very effectively supported by a skilled team of senior staff and experienced governors. As a team, leaders and managers have sustained a strong drive for improvement since the previous inspection, most notably developing very supportive links with parents and bringing pupils' speaking and reading skills to a high standard. An increasing number of pupils in all classes are on course to reach above nationally expected levels of attainment, further... demonstrating the school's strong capacity to improve into the future.

Teaching is typically good, with all staff demonstrating excellent skills in managing pupils' behaviour, promoting pupils' exemplary attitudes to learning and encouraging pupils to learn well by expressing and sharing their ideas with each other. As a result, pupils make good progress and attainment is above average overall, reflecting good achievement. High quality care, support and guidance from all staff and an excellent range of learning activities also promote the pupils' oustanding behaviour and relationships.

Consequently, pupils feel, and are kept, very safe and greatly enjoy coming to school. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Occasionally, teachers do not provide pupils with work that is sufficiently matched to their differing abilities, which would enable them to make even better progress. At times, opportunities to further develop and use pupils' numeracy skills when learning across the range of subjects are not taken.

Information about this school

This school is below average in size. Most pupils attending the school are of White British heritage. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action is below the national average.

The proportion supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the pupil premium (additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, children who are looked after by the local authority and the children of service families) is below average. The proportion of pupils joining or leaving the school at other than the normal times is above average.

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in one Reception class. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set out the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school holds several awards, including the Artsmark Gold award achieved in 2012.