St Helen’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school This school is well led and managed.

The headteacher has an accurate view of the school's performance and her expectations of staff and pupils are high. Staff work well as a team and have a clear understanding of the aims and ethos of the school. Consistently good teaching across the school ensures that all groups of pupils make good progress in their learning.

Teachers strive to make lessons interactive and fun. Progress and outcomes for reading, writing and mathematics at key stage 2 are strong. However, although pupils make good progress in reading and writing at key stage 1, outcomes in mathematics are not quite as good.

The ...results of the phonics screening check in 2016 were disappointing. Swift action has been taken by the school. As a result, the teaching of phonics is showing signs of improvement.

Standards of behaviour around the school are good. Pupils are proud of their school, feel safe and enjoy attending. Pupils' progress and the quality of teaching are very closely monitored.

However, the feedback given to teachers after lesson observations is not as detailed as it could be to help them develop their practice further. Furthermore, there are no opportunities for teachers to observe and learn from each other. Governors play their part in ensuring that the school is focused on improving outcomes and life chances for pupils who attend the school.

Children in Reception soon settle quickly into school life and achieve well. However, teaching assistants in the early years are not always deployed effectively to support children in their learning. The majority of parents hold the school in high regard.

The school has crafted a broad and balanced curriculum which ignites pupils' passion and enthusiasm for learning. The roles of some middle leaders, for example of geography and history, are not as well developed as those of English and mathematics.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

This school is smaller than the average primary school. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is much lower than the national average.

The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan or statement of special educational needs is slightly above the national average. The proportion of pupils receiving special educational needs support is below the national average. The school meets the current government floor standards.

A new chair of governors has been appointed since the last inspection and there have been a number staff changes across the school. There is a pre-school and an out-of-school club, which offer wrap-around care, on-site. These settings are not run by the governing body and are subject to separate inspection arrangements.