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 achieve well.

They make good progress to reach standards that are well above average in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The quality of teaching is good. A well-established programme of observing teaching carried out by leaders has brought about significant improvement since the previous inspection.

Pupils behave well. They are courteous and polite to one another and visitors. They feel safe in school.

Determined leadership by school leaders and governors has brought about significant improvement in the school since the previous inspection. Pupil progress meetings help ensure that any pupils falling behind are... provided with prompt, additional support. Together with better teaching, this results in increasingly good progress for pupils.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Occasionally, teachers do not give pupils sufficient guidance about how to improve their work. This is better in English than mathematics. Similar inconsistencies exist in the degree to which all pupils are provided with opportunities to use information and communication technology.

Pupils do not have enough opportunities to take their own decisions about their learning, in particular, in deciding what they wish to learn and in making evaluations of their own and others' work.

Information about this school

The school is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported by pupil premium funding, which provides additional funding for looked after children, children from service families and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, is below the national average.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action, school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is broadly average. The main needs of these pupils relate to specific learning difficulties and behavioural, social and emotional difficulties. The majority of pupils come from a predominantly White British background.

The next largest minority ethnic group consists of pupils coming from an Any Other White background. In 2012 the school met the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectation for pupils' attainment and progress. The school, over the last two years, has experienced a large number of maternity leaves.

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