Much Marcle CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The exceptional vision, enthusiasm and drive of the headteacher, well supported by staff and an outstanding governing body inspire pupils to thrive in all aspects of their personal and academic development. Leaders ensure that teaching and learning are outstanding across the school. The headteacher's direction enables staff to develop their skills and expertise continuously.

Standards at the end of Key Stage 2 are well above those usually found in reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils are treated as individuals and, as a result, all pupils, including those eligible for the pupil premium and those with special educational needs..., achieve well and are extremely well-prepared for the next stage of their education. Teachers develop pupils' personal qualities and teamwork skills to the full.

This enables them to work very successfully in partnership with each other and with teachers to extend their learning. High-quality and consistent marking celebrates pupils' achievements and ensures that all pupils know what they need to do next in order to improve. Support for disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is excellent.

Pupils' exemplary behaviour contributes strongly to the outstanding quality of learning in lessons. They repay staff's trust in them through their outstanding behaviour and by always trying their best. They say they feel safe in the school.

From an early age, pupils enjoy coming to school and this shows in their eagerness to learn and their high levels of attendance. Exceptionally rigorous assessment and tracking systems ensure the progress of individual pupils in reading, writing and mathematics is very well monitored. However, with the exception of RE, the school does not currently analyse pupils' progress in other subjects.

Staff are caring and supportive, and, with governing body members, volunteers, and visitors to the school, they create an exceptional place for learning. The headteacher is passionate about ensuring that all pupils do as well as they possibly can and sets very high expectations for all staff. Provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding.

Pupils develop into confident, articulate and reflective individuals who are very well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Most pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is well below average and only a very small proportion of pupils speak English as an additional language. With the exception of the Nursery and Reception classes, pupils are taught in mixed-age classes. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs who are supported through school action is below the national average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is broadly average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding for pupils eligible for free school meals and other specific groups) is broadly average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.