Otterton Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher has remained determined and resilient throughout a time of significant staff and governance changes since the previous inspection. She has developed a strong leadership team and together they are rapidly improving the quality of teaching. Current governors are skilled and experienced.

They provide strong strategic leadership and are highly ambitious for the school. Teaching meets the needs of pupils well. Learning activities are carefully planned to ensure that pupils develop their understanding and skills.

The learning environment is calm and purposeful. Teachers are ambitious for their pupils and pupils respond positivel...y to this. Due to the care and support that the school provides, pupils' personal development, welfare and behaviour are good.

Pupils enjoy school, appreciate one another's strengths and show respect for each other and adults in the school. Children get off to a strong start in the Reception class. They make good progress from their different starting points.

Since the previous inspection, a number of changes to staffing led to an unsettled period of teaching and learning for some pupils. The headteacher, supported by governors, has now secured a strong staff team that works cohesively to provide good-quality teaching and learning. However, this unsettled period has caused some parents to lose confidence in the school.

Due to the variation in the quality of teaching in the past, some pupils have not achieved as well as they should. However, these pupils are given the help they need to catch up. By the end of their time at the school, pupils are well prepared for their next steps and have made good progress.

Information about this school

This is a much smaller school than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for pupil premium funding is well below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is broadly the same as the national average.

The majority of pupils are White British. The school is receiving support from a local authority adviser. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

The school is federated with The Drake's Primary School and there is one headteacher working across both schools. There is one governing body that takes responsibility for both schools in the federation. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set out the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.