Northiam Church of England Primary School and Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders sustain a good standard of education for pupils. They have significantly developed strong and helpful links with parents and carers and the community.

Parents are very supportive of leaders. Pupils have many opportunities to develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding of the world around them. They are confident individuals, well prepared for life in a modern society.

Teachers know the individual needs of pupils very well. They plan interesting and challenging activities to engage pupils. Pupils are passionate about their learning.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are ...well supported. They make good progress towards their appropriate personal targets. Leaders spend the pupil premium funding wisely.

Disadvantaged pupils achieve as well as other pupils with similar starting points. Leaders use the primary physical education (PE) and sport premium very effectively. Pupils develop a good understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Pupils behave well. They conduct themselves appropriately in lessons and around school. Pupils' writing and reading outcomes are very good.

Pupils make good progress in mathematics. Transition between year groups, and from and to school, is highly personalised and supports pupils well. Pupils are well prepared for the next stages in their education.

Pupils benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular learning opportunities. They value these highly. Pupils feel very safe and happy in school.

Children in the early years receive a good education. Teaching in the early years is planned thoughtfully so that children learn well together and independently. Children achieve good outcomes in the early years.

Governors work closely with leaders to develop the school's provision. However, they do not have a secure understanding of the impact of leaders' work to improve the school. Pupils achieve well in a wide range of interesting topics across many subjects.

Nevertheless, for a few pupils, their subject- specific knowledge and skills, in subjects other than English and mathematics, are not well developed. Some teaching does not always challenge pupils to achieve as well as they could.

Information about this school

This is a smaller-than-average primary school.

It has four mixed classes from Reception to Year 5, and one Year 6 class. It has a strong Christian ethos. It was last inspected under section 48 of the Education Act 2005 in June 2016.

The school was graded outstanding. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above average.

There is a breakfast club and some after-school activities run by the school. The school is a member of the Quercus Federation, which is composed of two primary schools with co-governance. There is a partnership in place with another primary school under separate governance.

The Quercus Federation has been led by two executive headteachers since April 2017. The school is led by a head of school. Pupil mobility in the school is higher than average.