St Andrew’s Bulmer Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils relish coming to St Andrew's Bulmer Primary School. The school ensures that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), participate in a wide range of activities.

Pupils enjoy an extensive, carefully considered range of trips, including visits to castles and a mosque. They interact with visitors, such as from a planetarium. These activities spark their curiosity for learning about the world around them.

There are several well-attended clubs, such as sports, construction and story making, which broaden pupil' interests.

Pupils get on very well with each other in school. They play happily together.

Pupi...ls say that this is a welcoming place for everyone. They treat each other, and adults, kindly. Older pupils develop their confidence when they help lead activities at play times and 'buddy' children in Reception.

The school has high expectations of how well pupils can do. There is much effective and engaging teaching. As a result, most pupils achieve well.

Pupils feel safe. They know that if they need support, they will receive it. The school teaches pupils about topics such as water safety and healthy relationships.

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

The school identifies the important knowledge that pupils need to learn. Once pupils have grasped what they need to know, they move onto new learning. Activities at the start of lessons recap what pupils have previously learned.

This helps pupils know and remember more.

Teachers typically have confident subject knowledge. They use this to introduce new learning in clear and engaging ways.

Teachers often check what pupils know carefully. They use this to adjust the curriculum to close gaps in pupils' knowledge and address any misconceptions. Sometimes, however, teachers do not check pupils' knowledge well enough in lessons.

When this happens, they do not spot gaps and errors in pupils' learning. Some pupils do not, therefore, always secure the knowledge that they should.

The school promotes a love of reading.

Pupils read widely and often. The school's new phonics scheme is well planned and increasingly well taught. Books are carefully chosen so that they match letters, words, and sounds that the pupils learn.

Books are matched to pupils' ability to read. The school rigorously checks how well pupils can read, and how often they do so. When pupils need additional help with their reading, they receive it.

This helps them become more fluent, accurate readers who can access the curriculum.

Children in Reception get a solid foundation for future learning. They become confident in using numbers.

Stories and rhymes help children learn about numbers. Children enjoy the wide range of activities in the bright, cheerful environment. They enjoy learning from, and with, Year 1.

Staff widen children's vocabulary when they ask questions about their learning and play. Children learn about how people are different but equal.Staff are passionate about providing a high-quality education for pupils with SEND.

They identify pupils' needs effectively. Staff adapt tasks carefully. They work closely with parents.

This ensures that pupils' needs are met. As a result, pupils with SEND enjoy school and achieve well.

Pupils behave well here.

Most pupils focus very well on their learning. They are enthusiastic and respond well to high-quality teaching. If pupils do not make appropriate choices about how to behave, the school helps pupils understand their mistakes, so they can improve their behaviour.

The school works closely with families to help pupils come into school every day. The school is a happy place to be. Pupils therefore attend well.

The school prioritises pupils' personal development. Pupils follow a comprehensive personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum. They learn how to care for their own physical health and mental well-being.

Pupils learn about how to be a good citizen. They look out for each other. Pupils develop their confidence and widen their interests when they participate in collective worship and sports competitions with other schools in the federation.

The school is working to develop further opportunities for pupil leadership.

The school has an inclusive vision for the school. This is well understood by everyone here.

The school, including governors, has a clear understanding of the school's strengths and how it can be further developed. The school effectively uses staff who work across the federation to build up teachers' knowledge and support them with their workload. Consequently, staff enjoy working here.

Parents and carers greatly value the support and communication they receive from the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The school has not yet ensured that all staff check pupils' knowledge and understanding well enough.

This means that teachers do not always identify gaps in all pupils' knowledge. The school should ensure that all staff check pupils' knowledge carefully. They should use these checks to adjust the curriculum to close any gaps in pupils' knowledge and address any misconceptions.

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