Peterchurch Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This school has improved a lot.

It is well led and provides pupils with many positive experiences. Lessons are well organised and expectations are high. Consequently, pupils make good progress in their learning and enjoy their time at school.

Beyond the classroom, there are plenty of other things to do. From after-school gardening and dance clubs to coastal trips, book festivals and more, the school does much to broaden pupils' interests. On top of this, the school has strengthened links with the local community.

Pupils get a good grounding in what it means to make a positive contribution to society. A supportive, positive and ambitious culture flavours learn...ing and school life.

Behaviour is typically very good and lessons run smoothly.

Pupils are well mannered and quick to show initiative. They know what the school's values, including respect, empathy and responsibility, mean in practice. They also value the praise and rewards that they get from staff when they do something well.

Bullying hardly ever happens and any upsets or disagreements are sorted out calmly and fairly. The school is a safe and happy place to be.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Since the previous inspection, new leadership has brought fresh energy and direction to the school.

The significant impact of this is evident in many ways.

The curriculum has been redesigned and class organisation has been reviewed to provide greater consistency. Staff have clear guidance to follow so they know what to teach and when.

This means that the right things get taught and lessons build logically on earlier learning. These changes have been supported by appropriate staff training. In addition, subject leaders have dedicated time to checking how well the curriculum is working.

Staff, pupils and parents express positive views about the school's warm culture and ethos. Indeed, there is united agreement from staff that leaders support them to do their jobs well and are equally mindful of their workload and welfare.

The school has a structured and systematic approach to teaching early reading.

In Reception and key stage 1, phonics lessons happen every day. The books that pupils read and take home are well matched to the sounds they need to practise. If anyone needs extra help, then the school provides additional reading sessions.

In addition, good communication with families enables parents to support the school's approach at home. This helps all pupils to make good progress. Spelling and handwriting are taught alongside reading, although there is still scope to strengthen aspects of the school's work in these areas.

The curriculum in other subjects is mapped out in line with the content and ambitions of the national curriculum. Work and activities in Reception get children into good learning habits and routines. Beyond this, leaders have thought carefully about how to manage learning in different subjects in mixed-age classes.

By and large, they have done this well. However, the implementation of the curriculum is further ahead in some subjects than others. The school has also considered how to use assessment to inform everyday teaching.

In science, for example, teaching involves careful questioning to check on any misconceptions pupils might have. This helps to check on what pupils know and informs what teachers do next. This use of assessment as an integral part of lessons is now developing in others subjects too.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive informed support. Their needs are identified accurately and teaching and resources are adapted appropriately. In their comments to inspectors, several parents praised the school's inclusive approach and attention to their children's particular needs.

Inspection evidence supports these views.

The school's work to promote pupils' personal development is a distinctive strength. Some aspects, such as attention to pupils' moral development, are exceptional.

Pupils take on leadership roles in school. They help with decision-making and show thoughtful consideration towards others. Extra activities such as clubs, outdoor learning and trips are planned with deliberate thought about the purpose and benefits to all.

The school's involvement with the local community is also worthy of note. An annual parade and performances, for example, are joyous celebrations that unite young and old. These, and many other activities, prompt pupils to try new things, take responsibility and build self-esteem.

Governors have made informed decisions that support school improvement. They also have reliable systems in place to check on the school's work, and to ensure compliance with the law.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The implementation of the curriculum, and staff training, are further ahead in some foundation subjects than in others. This means there is still some unevenness in the quality of learning across different subjects. The school should continue to support staff with well-targeted guidance and training so that the quality of learning in all subjects continues to improve.

• The school's approach to teaching handwriting is not as consistent as other aspects of English. This means that pupils do not always get into good habits that endure, so their handwriting is not as good as it could be. The school should review and improve the approach to teaching handwriting so that pupils' handwriting improves across the school.