Reepham Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Since becoming an academy, leaders have significantly improved the quality of education. As a result, pupils achieve well by the time they leave the school.

The multi-academy trust (MAT) and local governing body (LGB) provide strong support and challenge. The MAT has enabled teachers to work alongside colleagues in other schools, sharing expertise. Children in the early years are provided with an excellent start to their education.

In their interactions with the children, adults constantly look to move them on in their learning through purposeful yet enjoyable activities. Pupils' behaviour is good. They have good manners and are polite....r/>
In class, their behaviour is excellent. There are very few incidents of bullying and any poor behaviour is dealt with well by school leaders. Teachers use common approaches to teaching reading, writing and mathematics.

Where these are used well, pupils make strong progress. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported by the use of practical equipment in mathematics and by teaching assistants. Phonics is taught well and pupils through the school have a love of reading.

Teachers and pupils make strong use of technology to enhance learning, particularly in key stage 2. Pupils are skilled in explaining their thinking orally to produce video blogs. Pupils learn about topics that both are of local interest and extend their world view.

Leaders are working on developing the curriculum to provide better opportunities for all pupils to be able to apply their knowledge in written and oral explanations. Teaching is, however, not of a consistently strong standard in all classes. Consequently, attainment at the end of key stage 1, particularly in writing, is lower than it should be.

Leadership of the school has been affected by staff absence and changes over the last year. During this time, there has been less capacity for improving teaching than would have been ideal. New deputy headteachers have been appointed from within the staff for September and are clear, alongside the head of school, about what needs to be done.

Where they have been able to support colleagues so far, there has been a clear impact.

Information about this school

The school opened as an academy in September 2016. The predecessor school was judged to be requiring improvement at its last inspection in December 2014.

The school is part of the Synergy Multi-Academy Trust. The head of school reports to the chief executive officer. An executive principal works alongside heads of school across the MAT.

A local governing body reports to the board of trustees. The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. There is a greater than average proportion of pupils who receive SEND support.