Samlesbury Church of England School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics and achieve well. By the time they leave they are confident learners ready to start their next stage in education. Pupils greatly enjoy reading and talk enthusiastically about books they like to read.

This has contributed well to pupils regularly attaining above average in English at the end of Year 6. Pupils are proud of their school; they feel safe and cared for by adults and their friends. Teaching is good.

Teachers question pupils well to check that they have understood their work as well as to extend their learning even further. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary and... this helps their learning. They are aware of how to work and play safely together and this contributes successfully to the school being extremely friendly, happy and caring.

The curriculum provides pupils with opportunities to play in the school brass band, work with professional artists or enjoy a wide range of sporting activities. This extends their learning, promoting spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well. The headteacher, all staff and governors work well together as a team and are determined to keep improving the school.

Staff are very committed and are proud to work at the school. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The outdoor area for the Early Years Foundation Stage does not provide as many opportunities for children to learn as there are indoors. The teaching of letters and sounds is not carried out consistently enough by all staff.

Teachers' marking of pupils' work does not always show pupils what they have to do to improve their work, nor do pupils have individual targets so that they know what they have to do to reach even higher levels. Pupils do not get enough opportunities to use mathematics and solve problems when working in different subjects.

Information about this school

Samlesbury Church of England School is smaller than the average sized primary school.

All pupils attending the school are from White British heritage. A few children are currently supported at school action and school action plus. Very few pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium.

The Early Years Foundation Stage and Year 1 teacher joined the school in January 2012. The school meets the government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress in English and mathematics. Pupils are taught in three mixed-age classes in the morning: Reception with Year 1, Year 2 with Year 3, and Years 4, 5 and 6 together.

Each afternoon pupils are taught in two classes: Reception is with Years 1 and 2, and Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 are together. The number in each year group can be less than eight. The school has Healthy School status and holds the award for Investors in People.