St James Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils make good progress and achieve well in all key stages.

From having expected levels of attainment when they enter the Reception class, pupils at the end of Year 6 attain above-average standards in English, mathematics and a range of other subjects. Teaching is consistently good. Lessons are well planned and interesting and teachers and teaching assistants work effectively together.

Teaching programmes offer many interesting activities well matched to pupils' abilities and supplemented by a range of visitors and visits. Pupils feel safe and can explain how to keep safe in different situations including when using the internet. Behav...iour is consistently good in lessons and around the school and pupils show respect for adults and other children.

The headteacher provides strong leadership, staff morale is high and the school is highly valued by parents. Leaders, managers and governors have brought about improvements in achievement, teaching and leadership and management. Governance has improved and governors hold the school to account well.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers do not always encourage pupils to assess their own work and that of other pupils, which misses opportunities to deepen their understanding. Homework is inconsistent in quality and not always as interesting and engaging as is should be, slowing pupils' progress.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school.

Almost all pupils are White British. A below average proportion of pupils are eligible for support through the pupil premium (additional funding from central government for pupils known to be eligible for free-school meals, children who are looked after by the local authority, or who have a parent in the armed forces). The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or having a statement of special educational needs is above average. All classes except for the Reception class comprise two year groups. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.