St Andrew’s Church School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school St Andrew's is an improving school. Leaders and managers, including the local governing body and the Multi-Academy Trust, are working together effectively. As a result, standards are rising and teaching is improving.

Pupils make good progress and reach average standards by the time they leave in Year 6. Teachers have good subject knowledge which they use effectively to ask questions to check pupils' understanding. Teachers have high expectations.

They plan interesting activities that help pupils to develop good attitudes to learning. Children in the early year's provision thrive. All adults know the needs of the children well.

Th...ey make sure that the activities children have help them to make at least good progress across all the areas of their learning. Teaching assistants make a valuable contribution to pupils' learning, particularly for the least able and those who are disabled or who have special educational needs. Pupils enjoy school.

They show high levels of respect for each other and for all adults in school. Pupils behave well and feel safe. Their parents and teachers agree.

Pupils' personal development has high priority. They have many opportunities to shine through music, sport and through taking on responsibilities within the school. The promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a significant strength of the school.

As a result, pupils grow into caring and sensitive young people. Leaders know what to do to make the school even better. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils do not achieve as well in writing as they do in reading and mathematics.

Teachers' marking does not always provide pupils with clear advice on how to improve. Pupils do not use their knowledge of sounds and letters (phonics) to spell unfamiliar words. Teachers do not always find interesting ways for pupils to practise and improve their writing skills across all subjects.

Pupils do not consistently show a fluent and efficient handwriting style.

Information about this school

This is an average-sized primary school. St Andrew's Church School converted to become an academy in September 2013.

The school is a member of the Bath and Wells Multi-Academy Trust. When its predecessor school, St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good overall. Pupils in the early year's provision and Key Stage 1 are taught in mixed-age classes.

There are separate classes for each year group in Key Stage 2. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium (additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after) is lower than average. Most of the pupils are from a White British background.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is higher than the national average. Children in the Reception class all attend full time. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.