St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Great Yeldham

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish in this friendly and welcoming village school because of its high expectations.

Pupils enjoy coming to school. They attend well. The school's Christian values and its motto, 'To be the best you can be', underpin all aspects of school life.

Pupils behave well. They treat each other and adults with kindness and respect. Bullying incidents are rare.

When pupils have any worries or concerns, staff deal with these promptly and effectively. Pupils say they feel safe in school.

Pupils take pride in carrying out their roles and responsibilities, such as register monitors and friendship buddies.

Pupils enjoy the opportunities they are... given to become responsible members of their local community. Eco-warriors help to keep the school grounds tidy, and hall monitors prepare the hall for worship. Pupils enjoy their visits to St Edmund's retirement home, where they entertain and chat with residents.

A significant majority of parents and carers are highly positive about the school. One parent echoed the views of many, saying: 'St Andrew's is a fantastic school. Staff work hard to make sure children are happy and that they achieve well.'



What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has created an ambitious curriculum which ensures that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), learn well. Leaders have identified the important knowledge, skills and vocabulary that pupils need to know in preparation for the next stage of their education.

Teachers have secure knowledge of the subjects they teach.

They ensure that pupils are taught content in a logical order. Teachers use careful questioning to check that pupils understand what is being taught. However, in some areas of the curriculum, the school does not find out how well the curriculum is helping pupils to remember important knowledge over time.

The teaching of reading is given high priority. Children in Reception are extremely well supported to learn and recall new sounds quickly. As a result, children in Reception and pupils in key stage 1 learn to read well.

The school provides pupils with books to read that match the sounds they know. Staff support weaker readers to catch up quickly. Pupils love learning to read and visiting the school library.

They enjoy listening to their teachers reading stories to them. Older pupils are confident readers. They passionately discuss books they have enjoyed.

Children in Reception are excited by their learning. They enthusiastically follow routines and instructions. Children are kind and friendly.

They understand the importance of turn taking and sharing. Children benefit from a carefully planned curriculum. Leaders have prioritised children's language development.

Skilful staff are passionate about their work. They expertly provide an engaging learning environment that matches the children's interests and developing needs. Children are very successfully prepared for Year 1.

The school carefully identifies the needs of pupils with SEND. Teachers adapt their teaching to meet the needs of all pupils. Pupils with SEND receive the appropriate support they need.

Consequently, they achieve well alongside their peers.

The overwhelming majority of pupils have positive attitudes to school. Pupils behave sensibly and are keen to learn.

Should any low-level disruption in lessons occur, adults address it successfully. Pupils take pride in their work. The school has a range of effective strategies in place to support pupils' well-being and mental health.

These include spending time with Bean, the school dog. These approaches help pupils feel calm and ready to learn.

The school provides a wide range of activities to promote pupils' personal development.

Pupils contribute positively to the school and to the local community, including helping to serve tea and cakes at the church café. Pupils take part in fundraising activities, including donating to the local food bank. Pupils attend a range of lunchtime and after-school clubs, such as archery, dodgeball and art club.

These activities help pupils to learn new skills and build compassion for those less fortunate.

Pupils learn about other faiths and different communities. Pupils learn to respect the views of others.

They also learn about healthy relationships and how to keep themselves healthy, both physically and mentally.

Governors and trustees know the school well. They ensure that they support and challenge school leaders effectively.

Staff, including those new to teaching, feel well supported by leaders. They are proud to work at this school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some areas of the curriculum, the school does not check regularly how well pupils have remembered some important knowledge. This means that leaders are not clear how successfully pupils are meeting the aims of their ambitious curriculum. The school should ensure that assessment checks identify how well pupils are recalling and retaining the depth of knowledge intended.

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