Sherborne Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Since the last inspection pupils' attainment has risen and is currently average in Year 6.

Almost all pupils make good progress. Teaching is now good and pupils are helped to know how to improve their work. Teachers monitor pupils' progress very carefully, and in the Reception class and Years 3 to 6 they almost always plan work that meets the needs of all pupils.

Teams of teachers are very carefully reviewing the curriculum to ensure that it provides interesting and stimulating learning opportunities for all pupils, helping them to build their skills year on year. School leadership is strong and the leadership team is determined that the... school will continue to improve. The team has focused on improving the quality of teaching so that pupils' progress improves.

Governors have developed their skills well, offering support but challenging the school to do even better. Pupils enjoy school and feel very safe and well cared for. As a result their attendance is good, they behave well and have good attitudes to work and to each other.

Bullying is rare. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Lessons, especially in Years 1 and 2, are not always sufficiently stimulating. The pace is sometimes too slow so that pupils do not always make as much progress as they could.

Tasks in these lessons are not always as challenging as they could be and do not always match pupils' different abilities. Pupils do not know, from a long list of targets, which ones to concentrate on to help them to improve their work.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school.

Some children are taught in mixed age classes. There are no disabled pupils. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported through school action is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs at school action plus, including those with a statement, is above the national average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is similar to the national average. The pupil premium is extra money given to schools by the government to support, amongst others, pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. The school provides a breakfast and after-school club on site. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

The school holds the Eco Green Flag award in recognition of its environmental work