St Andrew’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

At the heart of this school, there are warm, trusting relationships between staff and pupils. Staff know pupils and their families well. Pupils feel safe and they are keen to talk about the things they do at school.

One pupil summed this up by saying, 'Everything is good about this school. In fact, just being part of this school is amazing because we have lots of new opportunities'.

The new headteacher has successfully addressed behaviour in the school.

At the start of each day, staff check how pupils are feeling. Pupils who need support to manage their emotions get the help they need. As a result, pupils are ready for learning.

Pupils say bullying h...ardly ever happens. They know staff will deal promptly with any misbehaviour.

In classrooms, pupils behave well.

They listen carefully to teachers and there is a focus on learning. Staff have high expectations of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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

Leaders have developed a new reading curriculum.

Pupils who are at an early stage of learning to read have regular phonics sessions. Staff ensure that pupils use their phonic knowledge to sound out unfamiliar words. Pupils read books that help them practise the letter sounds they are learning.

As a result, their reading is improving.

Where the new curriculum is in place, teachers follow a well-planned, consistent approach to teaching reading. This helps pupils to develop the reading skills needed for future learning.

However, the implementation of the reading curriculum stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the approach to teaching reading is not yet consistent. This means that, in some classes, pupils do not deepen their reading skills.

Leaders have clear plans in place to implement the reading curriculum across the school.

In other subjects, leaders have set out an ambitious curriculum. Subject leaders have identified key knowledge and skills which pupils should learn.

Teachers plan pupils' learning in a logical order. Teachers check on pupils' understanding regularly and take action to ensure their learning is secure. For example, in music, teachers adapt the curriculum for older pupils whose learning has been disrupted due to COVID-19.

This ensures that pupils have a secure understanding before moving on to new content.

In the personal, social and health education curriculum, pupils learn to respect peoples' differences. They understand that people hold different beliefs and have other characteristics and lifestyles.

This helps pupils to understand that it is alright to be different and that everyone is unique.

Pupils with SEND take part in all aspects of school life. Leaders have put in place robust procedures to identify pupils who may need extra support.

As a result, pupils receive effective support with their learning from well-trained staff. The transition process for pupils with SEND newly arriving at the school is effective and, consequently, they settle quickly.

Staff manage pupils' behaviour effectively.

As a result, disruption to lessons from poor behaviour is rare. Pupils demonstrate confidence and resilience in their approach to their learning and work. Pupils who need extra help with their emotional well-being or behaviour receive high-quality support.

This ensures that these pupils are ready and able to learn.

Leaders engage well with staff and consider staff workload. In addition, leaders provide regular training and effective support for staff well-being.

Consequently, staff are positive about the school's leaders.

Governors know the school well. They understand the school's strengths and areas that require further development.

Governors have a strong commitment to the school and its pupils. They share the new headteacher's vision for the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Safeguarding training is up to date. Staff know how to spot signs that something might be amiss with a pupil. Staff know how to raise and report a concern.

Leaders seek the right support for vulnerable pupils, including support from external agencies. Careful record-keeping enables leaders to keep track of concerns raised and actions taken.

Leaders undertake appropriate pre-employment checks on staff before their appointment.

Pupils learn about safety at home and in the local community. They also learn how to maintain healthy relationships and keep safe when online.

Governors regularly check the school's safeguarding procedures.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The teaching of reading is not planned well enough in all years. This means that pupils do not have sufficient opportunities to deepen their reading skills in some year groups. Leaders need to implement the revised reading curriculum across the school, so that all pupils benefit from a well-sequenced reading programme.