Purley CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school In this caring school, which is often described as 'like a family', the personal development of pupils is excellent.

As soon as children start at the school, staff show them how to behave impeccably and support each other. The headteacher has an accurate understanding of the effectiveness of this recently expanded school. She has made many improvements to the building and teaching and learning.

Consequently, all pupils receive a good standard of education that enables them to achieve well. Governors provide effective challenge and support to leaders because they are ambitious for pupils. They know the school well and are keen to develop t...heir use of pupils' progress information.

Teaching is good. Teachers have good subject knowledge and use questioning well to check and extend pupils' learning. As a result, pupils make good progress across the curriculum.

Reading is a strength of the school. Pupils develop a love of reading and learn to read proficiently because teachers promote reading very well. The recently introduced curriculum is flexible to meet the needs of mixed-age classes.

Topics such as 'Mayan Mayhem!' are exciting for pupils. Children in the early years make good progress. Teachers form strong relationships with families as soon as children start school that support their development well.

The new Reception and Year 1 class teacher has made some changes to the indoor and outside areas to improve children's attainment across the different areas of learning. These changes are not yet complete. Middle leaders are relatively new to their roles.

Even though they have had limited training, they have made some positive changes to the curriculum. However, they cannot describe the impact of their work on pupils' learning. The assessment system is very new and does not yet provide enough information about pupils' progress.

Teachers are learning to use this system alongside the new curriculum. Assessment information does not always accurately reflect pupils' achievement in all subjects. The most able pupils' achievement is stronger in reading than writing and mathematics.

Lessons are not always consistently challenging, particularly in mathematics.

Information about this school

Purley Church of England Primary School is smaller than the average-sized primary school. There are four mixed-age classes.

The school was previously known as Purley Church of England Infant School and at the last inspection in February 2010, the infant school was judged to be outstanding. In September 2013, the school began a planned programme of expansion and opened key stage 2 classes. There are now pupils in all year groups in key stage 2.

Year 6 pupils started in autumn 2016 so there is currently no published performance information for key stage 2. The majority of pupils are White British and others come from a range of different ethnic backgrounds. A small minority of pupils speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is below the national average. This group represents about a fifth of pupils in the school. However, in some classes, including in the early years, there are very few or no disadvantaged pupils.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is above the national average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is also higher than that of other schools nationally. The school meets the requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

Also at this postcode