Saint Barnabas Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school After a period of decline, the school is rapidly improving under the leadership of the head of school.

Leaders and staff work in strong partnership to ensure that pupils make good progress. Leaders have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses. Improvement plans focus on the right priorities.

Teaching is good because of very effective leadership. Leaders make thorough checks on the quality of teaching. They improve teachers' skills through carefully planned training and development.

Teachers feel well supported by leaders. They are positive about how leaders help them to develop their practice. Senior le...aders make frequent checks on pupils' attainment.

They work closely with staff to ensure that pupils receive the support they need to 'keep up, not catch-up'. However, systems for monitoring pupils' progress across each key stage are not sharp enough. The school is a happy and welcoming community.

Relationships are positive, and staff look after pupils well. Pupils are friendly and polite. They feel safe at school.

Pupils enjoy school and attend regularly. Their behaviour in lessons and around school is good. Pupils have positive attitudes to their work and are keen to learn.

Teachers use assessment information well to plan lessons that match pupils' needs closely. As a result, pupils make strong progress in English and mathematics. Increasingly effective support means that disadvantaged pupils are currently making good progress.

However, they still have a way to go to catch up with their peers. Children in the early years develop into confident and independent learners who are ready for the challenges of Year 1. Sometimes, adults could extend children's learning further.

Some teachers do not have high enough expectations of pupils' writing. As a result, some high- and low-attaining pupils are not making the progress of which they are capable. Subjects such as history and geography are not taught in enough depth.

Many subject leaders are at an early stage of their development. Governors know the school well. However, until recently, they have not held senior leaders to account robustly enough for school improvement.

Information about this school

Saint Barnabas Church of England Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school. Over the past three years, a part-time executive headteacher has led aspects of the school's work. A new head of school was appointed in March 2018.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is in line with the national average. The number of pupils with an education, health and care plan is below the national average.

There are two classes in the Reception Year, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 6. There is one full-time Nursery class and one class in Year 5. The school runs a before- and after-school club.