St Chad’s CofE (VC) First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher provides highly effective and inspiring leadership. The governors and other leaders support her well.

As a result of strong leadership, the school has improved since the previous inspection. Leaders have created an aspirational and inclusive culture where pupils believe they can succeed. Leaders have acted well to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment which is now good.

There are pockets of outstanding practice; however, subject leaders have not yet taken the necessary steps to ensure all teaching is at the highest standard. Pupils, parents, staff and governors are, with good reason, proud of their schoo...l. All groups of pupils learn well and most make good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and mathematics.

While pupils are keen to write and very engaged in the topics they write about they do not consistently apply their knowledge of grammar, spelling and punctuation. The curriculum is stimulating and provides pupils with a wealth of interesting and exciting learning opportunities. Pupils' spiritual, social, moral and cultural development is a strength of the school.

Pupils have positives attitudes to learning. They are polite, respectful and friendly. Pupils are well behaved.

They feel happy and safe in this caring school. Governors provide a good level of challenge and support. They know the school well and are very committed to improving the provision for pupils.

Attendance is well above average. Pupils enjoy coming to school. The quality of pupils' handwriting and presentation is of a high standard in English lessons.

However, pupils do not always apply these skills in other subjects Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities do well because of the good quality of provision they receive. Pupils who are disadvantaged make good progress. Leaders ensure that their academic and pastoral needs are given equal priority.

Children get off to a good start in the early years because the teachers know the children well and provide stimulating activities to meet their needs.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school is smaller than most primary schools.

Most pupils come from Pattingham and the surrounding villages. The school has strong links with St Chad's Church, the village and wider community. Almost all pupils are of White British heritage.

The school has a Nursery with places available in the morning or afternoon or a mixture of both. Children in Reception class attend on a full-time basis. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is low compared with the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is low compared to the national average. The school runs a before- and after-school club, which is managed by the governing body. The school is part of a local area schools' partnership.