South Darley CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders and governors have established a culture of respect and tolerance that embodies the school's values and supports pupils to develop as well-rounded individuals. Parents and carers express high levels of satisfaction with the school.

They say that they appreciate the ways in which leaders and staff provide outstanding care and personal attention for the needs of their children. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is effectively promoted through the broad and balanced curriculum. Teachers manage the mixed-age classes well.

They use assessment and questioning effectively to match the learning to pupils' ages and ...abilities. Pupils approach learning with highly positive attitudes. They collaborate well with each other and show resilience and persistence as they acquire a range of knowledge and skills.

Pupils' behaviour and conduct are excellent, both in lessons and at other times of the day. Leaders and staff encourage all pupils to value their education. Attendance is high, and no pupils are persistently absent.

Pupils and parents say that the school is a safe place where instances of bullying are rare. Children in the early years make a strong start as a result of effective teaching. They are well prepared for Year 1.

Standards of attainment in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of key stage 2 are consistently above the national averages. Progress at key stage 2 and attainment at key stage 1 declined in 2018. Key stage 1 attainment in writing at greater depth has been below average for three years.

Teachers' expectations for handwriting and presentation in key stage 2 are not as high as in key stage 1. Feedback to pupils is inconsistent in key stage 2. Leaders and governors do not carry out regular, systematic checks on the quality of teaching and learning.

As a result, their plans for improvement lack precision.

Information about this school

South Darley CofE Primary School is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. Pupils are taught in two classes, one of which has children in the Reception Year and pupils in Years 1 and 2.

The other class contains pupils in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. The headteacher is currently acting as temporary executive headteacher at Stoney Middleton Church of England Primary School for part of the week. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is much smaller than the national average.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is much smaller than the national average. A larger than average proportion of pupils is of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is well below the national average.