Pembridge CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. The leadership of the school, including governance, is strong.

The two acting headteachers know the school well and are maintaining the well-established systems for monitoring and developing teaching. Pupils make outstanding progress in all subjects and leave with standards that are high. Pupils' spelling skills are not quite as strong as other aspects of English.

Pupils' attitudes to learning are exemplary. They enjoy learning and take part in lessons with enthusiasm. Teachers show that they have high expectations, and plan lessons that interest and challenge pupils so that they make rapid progress.

Marking throughout t...he school and in all subjects makes very clear to pupils what they need to do to improve their work. The school is making good progress in developing new arrangements to assess subjects in order to meet the requirements of the new National Curriculum. Leaders at all levels accurately assess the strengths and the areas for development in their areas of responsibility.

They act quickly to ensure standards remain high. In Reception, adults motivate and manage children skilfully so they develop a love of learning and make rapid progress across the full range of skills. They are very well prepared for the more formal learning in Key Stage 1.

Pupils are proud to belong to the school. Parents are extremely positive about it, although leaders do not involve them quite as much as they could in assessing children's skills when they first arrive in Reception. Governors and leaders ensure that pupils enjoy a broad range of subjects.

Personal and social education, assemblies, educational visits, clubs and activities all promote pupils' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development very effectively. Pupils quickly develop key values, such as respect and tolerance, and the school provides a happy, family atmosphere. The school's work to keep pupils safe is outstanding.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary and they are polite, welcoming and helpful.

Information about this school

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

Very few pupils are supported by the pupil premium. This is additional funding for pupils in local authority care and those known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, including pupils supported through a statement of special educational needs or an education, heath or care plan, is well below average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of Year 6. The previous headteacher left at the end August 2014 and the new permanent headteacher will not take up post until January 2015. The school is currently led by two members of the senior leadership team who are sharing the responsibilities of headship between them.