St James and Ebrington Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a school that requires improvement Deep-rooted tensions in the community have existed for some time. These tensions, which stem from the use of two sites for the school, have restricted the school's improvement. Weak teacher assessment means that work does not match pupils' learning needs closely enough.

This slows pupils' progress Sometimes, there is insufficient challenge, especially for the most able pupils. Subject leadership is at an early stage of development. Subject leaders do not drive improvements to pupils' outcomes.

Staff absences during the year have presented additional challenges to governors and the current leadership team as they seek ...to improve the quality of teaching and learning, which are not good enough. Children in Reception and pupils in other year groups do not achieve as well as they should. At times, the curriculum has been narrowed, in an attempt to ensure that pupils make gains at specific times leading to assessment points.

The identification of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has been flawed in the past. The school has the following strengths The local authority provides strong support and has put in place an interim leadership team. These leaders promote high expectations for pupils and a professional approach towards teaching and learning.

Current leaders are accurate in their view of the school's strengths and weaknesses. They are rightly challenging the areas of weak achievement that exist across the school. Pupils are proud of their school and attend well.

Strong, respectful relationships based on shared values provide a secure environment in which to learn. Pupils behave well. The newly formed governing body is determined to draw the community together, so that, as one group, all can focus on doing what is right for pupils at the school.

Information about this school

St James and Ebrington Church of England Primary School was formed as a federation on two sites over 30 years ago. The St James site is in Chipping Campden, and the second smaller site is in the village of Ebrington, about three miles away. Nearly all the children in early years attend the St James site.

The school is a voluntary aided school. A section 48 inspection took place in September 2016. Ofsted carried out a short inspection in November 2018.

The reporting letter provided the school with several next steps to consider before the next full inspection. These included: ensuring that assessment systems are established, ensuring that the most able pupils are challenged and developing subject leaders' skills. During the autumn term in 2018, the local authority, working in partnership with governors and the diocese, organised an interim executive headteacher to oversee improvement in the school.

This arrangement remains in place. The local authority supports the school through regular visits from a performance adviser. Monthly project meetings take into account the needs of the school to further enhance school improvement and consider whether additional resources are necessary.

Also at this postcode