Norton CEVC Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

Norton Church of England Primary is an outstanding school. Pupils achieve well, are extremely happy and enjoy their learning because of the highly positive relationships, very sensitive pastoral care and an excellent curriculum. This is the result of early and very accurate identification of pupils' needs and interests and the provision of high-quality support through an excellent range of school-based programmes.

As one parent wrote of the school, 'They get to know your child extremely well, sometimes more than you think!' From starting points in line with those expected, the vast majority of pupils reach levels of attainment well above that expected of them by the time they leave. This was also evid...ent in the work in pupils' books. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make excellent progress and gain a very wide experience of the six areas of learning because their needs are very carefully assessed and their progress tracked closely.

Pupils throughout the school behave exceptionally well and make many helpful and much valued contributions to the school community. For example, members of the eco school council talk enthusiastically about their frequent and productive meetings and are very proud of the improvements they have been involved in such as the development of the wildlife garden and computer club. Pupils say they feel 'really, really safe' and like coming to school.

This is because everyone is caring and friendly, and they are confident that adults will help them if they have any concerns. As one pupil said, 'They will always help you, any time at all.' Teaching is good and sometimes outstanding because teachers make lessons interesting and challenging by using resources that bring learning alive and build knowledge in small and well-chosen steps.

This approach keeps lessons moving forward rapidly and teachers involve pupils well in discussions that extend their knowledge, skills and understanding. There are rare occasions when teachers make explanations too lengthy, confusing pupils, and when they miss opportunities to use pupils' mistakes to clear up misunderstandings. The leadership of the school is highly focused on outcomes for pupils and highly ambitious for higher rates of progress and standards.

Leaders and managers are ceaseless in their search for improvements to the quality of pupils' experiences, acknowledging if expected improvements do not work, but then striving to find an alternative solution, very often being successful. The governing body, excellently led, gathers much information from surveys and frequent visits to the school, which informs its priorities. A trend of improving achievement since the last inspection, the school's robust and timetabled plans for improving teaching and the highly effective leadership and management, demonstrate that the school's capacity to sustain improvement is excellent.

A high rate of attendance and significantly above expected skill levels by the time they leave means pupils are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Information about the school

The school is smaller than most primary schools. Almost all pupils are White British and very few pupils speak English as an additional language.

There are higher than average proportions of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and of pupils with a statement of special educational needs. The number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is lower than average. The school has achieved national Healthy School status, Eco School bronze and silver awards and the Activemark.