Norton Fitzwarren Church School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Norton Fitzwarren is a welcoming school that has made good improvement since the previous inspection. The increasing number of pupils attending the school reflects leaders' success in regaining the confidence of the local community. Pupils achieve well during their time at this school.

They develop particularly good speaking and listening skills, which help them to make good progress from their starting points. Progress is even better especially in English, in Years 5 and 6, because of outstanding teaching. The quality of teaching is good.

Teachers often base topics on favourite stories and books to stimulate interest and joy in... learning across the school. Children make a good start when they enter the school because of effective partnerships between staff in the new Early Years Foundation Stage unit and parents. Pupils behave well, have lots of friends and help each other to learn.

Pupils say they feel safe and their attitudes to learning are often outstanding, especially during assemblies and when sharing ideas in pairs. The headteacher leads effectively and is well supported by staff and the governing body. By sharing expertise with colleagues in their partner school, leaders are helping staff to quicken the pace of improvement in teaching and pupils' achievement.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : As pupils move through the school, their basic number facts are not always developed consistently well. Sometimes, in lessons, teachers do not emphasise the particular reading and writing skills that some pupils need to improve or make clear to them how they can do this.

Information about this school

This school is smaller than the average-sized primary school and the number of pupils attending the school has increased substantially since the previous inspection.

Most pupils attending the school are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils entering or leaving the school at other than the normal times is significantly above average, especially in Key Stage 2. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action is above average.

The proportion supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is slightly below average. These proportions vary significantly from year to year. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for children in local authority care, children from service families and those known to be eligible for free school meals) is below that found nationally, but varies substantially across year groups within the school.

Since September 2013, children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught together in Reception and pre-school classes, which form the new Early Years Foundation Stage unit. The pre-school, which currently caters for 17 children, is now managed by the governing body as part of the school and is therefore subject to this inspection. Pupils are taught in small, mixed age classes.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set out the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The school works in formal collaboration with another school. The headteacher leads both schools, although each school has its own governing body.