Reepham Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Reepham Church of England Primary School is a happy school. Pupils do very well, right from the start.

Pupils love attending the school and enjoy learning. Pupils say they feel safe at this school.

Leaders ensure the school's core values (respect, forgiveness, love, responsibility, cooperation and friendship) are at the heart of everything that pupils do.

All staff embed these values into pupils' experiences. This means pupils develop as kind, respectful and self-confident learners.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

Occurrences of unkindness are very rare. Pupils are confident that teachers will sort out bullying quickly if it happens. Pupils ...learn every week how to be responsible and safe from the school's puppet, 'Safety Mouse'.

This leads to a harmonious and caring school community.

Staff know pupils very well. They treat every pupil as an individual in this school.

Leaders have high expectations of all pupils. They make sure all pupils achieve well. Pupils work hard and they want to learn.

Parents and carers are very happy with what the school offers their children. Typical comments from many parents refer to the school as a family. One parent said, 'Being a family is not just a motto to Reepham, they live and breathe it.'



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

Leaders have considered carefully what they want pupils to learn and when. For example, in mathematics, leaders have identified precisely, from the early years onwards, all the important knowledge pupils need to know. Pupils like learning mathematics.

They learn new knowledge in a logical order, starting in the early years. There are opportunities for pupils to revisit and deepen their previous learning across different mathematical themes.

In a few subjects, leaders have not ensured that the curriculum precisely identifies all of the important knowledge pupils need to know.

As a result, pupils' knowledge and skills are not building as securely as they might in these subjects.

Leaders are ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This ensures that all pupils who may need extra support receive it.

The early years provision provides an exceptional experience for children. Leaders have planned the curriculum to provide rich experiences for pupils. Staff have a precise understanding of what children know and what they need to learn next.

Children are eager to join in with purposeful play that staff expertly plan for them.

Leaders prioritise reading. They are determined that all pupils will read well.

Leaders have ensured that all staff are well trained and that they are experts in early reading. Pupils learn to read in an organised way as soon as they join the school. Staff match the books pupils read carefully with the sounds they are learning.

Pupils use their phonics knowledge to sound out unfamiliar words. Pupils enjoy reading and listening to stories read aloud by their teachers.

Leaders and teachers provide pupils with an excellent set of rich experiences to promote their personal development.

For example, pupils take part in the 'Reepham Rangers' badge scheme, where pupils complete specific challenges based on resilience, social action, teamwork, arts and the world around them. Pupils widely take up the offer of extra-curricular activities, and appreciate these. Pupils have a strong understanding of the fundamental British values.

They enjoy learning about people who are similar or different to them through the life of 'Henrietta', the blue monster puppet.

Pupils are polite, and show positive attitudes to their learning. They cooperate well and are respectful of each other.

For example, children in the early years worked well together in their coffee shop role play. Pupils frequently celebrate the fact that 'everyone is awesome' in their school community.

Leaders ensure that pupils' pastoral needs are well met.

For example, pupils can book a 'time to talk' slot using the class worry monster or they can ask a pupil who is a 'well-being warrior'.

Leaders and governors have created an inclusive school. They engage effectively with parents and the local community.

Governors understand their role and ensure that resources are well managed. However, they do not always hold leaders to account as rigorously as they could. As a result, not all aspects of the school's curriculum are of the highest quality.

Leaders and governors are considerate of staff's workload and well-being. Staff value this. Parents who shared a view with inspectors are overwhelmingly positive about the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff are well trained. They are aware of national and local issues that might cause pupils potential harm.

Staff know what signs to look out for. Leaders have an approach of 'it could happen here'. They respond to any concerns immediately and liaise well with all external agencies to ensure the best for pupils and their families.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Leaders have not ensured that, in all subjects, the curriculum precisely identifies all of the important knowledge pupils need to know. As a result, in these subjects, pupils' knowledge and skills are not building as securely as they might. Leaders should ensure that, in all subjects, it is clear exactly what pupils should know and be able to do.

• Governors do not always hold leaders to account as rigorously as they could. As a result, not all aspects of the school's provision are of the highest quality. Governors need to assure themselves that they have rigorous structures and processes in place to assess the quality of all aspects of the school's provision effectively.

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