St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Ramsbottom

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy attending St Andrew's. Staff have created an environment where pupils feel well cared for.

Parents and carers particularly like the 'family feel' of the school. One parent explained that, 'The children's happiness, well-being and health are at the heart of the school's approach to education and learning.'

Leaders have high expectations of all pupils.

Staff recognise and reward positive attitudes with 'spotted tickets' and house points. As a result, pupils work hard and behave well.

Pupils feel safe in school.

They get on well with each other and show patience and understanding to their classmates. They know that their teachers ...will always help them if they have any worries. Pupils explained that on the rare occasions that bullying happens, leaders and staff deal with it straight away.

Leaders want pupils to have access to a range of opportunities. There is a large selection of after-school activities available. Pupils can also take on leadership roles, such as house captain or school councillor.

Pupils are thoughtful and understand the importance of helping others. They take great pride in their charitable work. Pupils have recently raised funds for Cancer Research UK and the Ramsbottom Pantry.

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

Leaders and staff have planned an ambitious curriculum that is broad and balanced. They have ensured the curriculum meets the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Subject leaders have designed well-ordered plans.

They have worked with the early years leader to make sure that the curriculum in Years 1 to 6 builds on the learning that takes place in the Reception Year. As a result, in most subjects, pupils are continually building on their knowledge and skills. Pupils achieve well.

They become proficient in different areas of the curriculum. For example, older pupils' artwork showed highly developed skills of proportion, shape and working with pastels.

A small number of curriculum leaders are less knowledgeable about their subject.

They are not clear enough about how well their subject is taught across the school. In these subjects, teachers are not as effective in making sure that the planned curriculum is taught as it should be. This is leading to pupils missing out on some key content.

This hinders their progress.

Leaders have put reading at the heart of the curriculum. In the Reception Year, children are engaged in storytelling activities that develop their vocabulary and love of reading.

Pupils in key stage 1 are gaining phonics knowledge through daily structured sessions. The books that pupils read are closely matched to the sounds that they know. Well-trained staff support younger pupils effectively to further develop their reading skills.

This is enabling pupils to become fluent readers. Pupils who find reading difficult are given extra support to help them catch up.

Older pupils told inspectors that they enjoy reading.

They have a wealth of books in their class libraries to choose from. Leaders have thought carefully about the high-quality texts that engage pupils. Teachers use these texts to support well-planned reading activities.

These actions are helping pupils develop their comprehension skills effectively.

The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) uses her expertise to quickly identify pupils' needs and then makes sure that these needs are met. The SENCo has trained staff to adapt their lessons so that pupils with SEND can access the same learning as their peers.

Pupils learn about other religions, faiths and cultures. Teachers use the curriculum to develop pupils' understanding that people are not all the same. As a result, pupils have a developed understanding of the diverse society in which they live.

They are tolerant and accepting of others, regardless of their differences.

Pupils are polite and respectful. They display positive behaviour in lessons and on the playground.

Leaders provide structured playtime activities that help pupils further develop their teamwork skills. Older pupils enjoy looking after their 'buddies' from Reception Year during lunchtimes.

Governors know the school well.

They provide effective challenge and support to leaders. Staff appreciate the consideration leaders show for the workload and well-being of all adults in the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

School staff know how to keep pupils safe. They know the pupils and families well. Leaders have ensured that staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

Staff are alert to any signs of abuse and report any concerns immediately. Leaders are trained to ensure recruitment procedures closely check all adults are safe to work in the school.

Staff teach pupils how to keep themselves safe.

Teachers help pupils understand the dangers that they may face online and in the outside world. They encourage pupils to always report any concerns they may have, no matter how small.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• A small number of subject leaders do not know how effectively their curriculum plans are being implemented.

Occasionally, this leads to key knowledge not always being taught. As a result, pupils are not always able to gain the subject-specific knowledge that they need. Senior leaders should ensure that these subject leaders have the skills they need to check how effectively key knowledge is being taught and understood.