St Mary and St Giles Church of England School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy learning at this inclusive school. The school has designed an ambitious curriculum that allows pupils to achieve increasingly well.

Teachers adapt their teaching to ensure that all pupils can access the curriculum, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). In lessons, pupils are enthusiastic about their learning, and instances of low-level behaviour are very rare.

The school sets and achieves high expectations for behaviour.

Staff explain these expectations clearly to pupils, and staff model the behaviour they expect to see. As a result, pupils understand how to behave well so that they can learn and play as part... of a happy and respectful school community.

Pupils are safe here.

Bullying is very rare. Pupils know that if they have concerns about feeling safe, they can tell an adult. Pupils know that adults will take their concerns seriously and act upon them.

Pupils enjoy a wide range of activities and clubs at lunchtimes and after school. The school checks carefully that all pupils, especially those with SEND and those eligible for the pupil premium, benefit from these opportunities.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

More recent improvements are having a significant impact on pupils' achievement and on the welfare of all pupils, including those with SEND and other disadvantaged pupils.

Published outcomes for 2023 do not reflect the progress that current pupils now make through the curriculum. This is because pupils who have just left the school were not at the school long enough to benefit fully from effective improvements to the curriculum and teaching made more recently.

The school has designed an ambitious curriculum.

Staff have carefully identified what they want pupils to learn in all subjects, from early years onwards. High-quality training for staff ensures that they teach the curriculum effectively. As a result, pupils' learning is of a good quality, and they are achieving well.

Staff check systematically how well pupils are learning the curriculum so that any gaps in learning that arise are quickly addressed. In most subjects, pupils remember what they have learned over time well. In some subjects, however, this is not as secure.

When this is the case, it prevents pupils from making links with new knowledge as strongly as they could.

The teaching of early reading is effective, including in Nursery. All pupils learn how to become fluent readers.

Leaders prioritise additional support for pupils who are new to the school, as well as those pupils who struggle with reading. As a result, pupils' make good progress in reading. Staff identify pupils with SEND accurately, including for children in Nursery.

The school trains and supports staff to meet the needs of pupils with SEND effectively. This means that staff put in place appropriate provision and support so that pupils with SEND achieve as well as other pupils.Pupils behave very well in lessons and around the school.

They settle quickly in lessons and are engaged actively in their learning. In the rare instances when a pupil's behaviour does not meet the school's high expectations, adults take the right action. The school teaches pupils and parents about the importance of regular attendance to make sure that pupils attend well.

As a result, attendance is strong and improving.

Staff and pupils at the school refer frequently to their shared values of responsibility, love, thankfulness, wisdom and kindness. The school uses these values to teach pupils to be responsible and respectful citizens.

Staff praise pupils for doing the right thing and use a clear rewards system to recognise pupils publicly for upholding the school's values.

There is a strong culture of mutual respect between all members of the school community. Pupils are taught the importance of embracing and celebrating difference.

Reading books in classrooms and displays around the school are carefully chosen to emphasise the importance of diversity. As a result, the school is a welcoming and respectful place to play and learn.

School and trust leaders at every level are resolute in their determination to make this school as effective as possible in educating and caring for its pupils, including those with SEND and other disadvantaged pupils.

They have an accurate view of the school and identify the right priorities to make continuous improvements to the school. As a result of recent improvements, all pupils now achieve well in a safe, happy and inclusive school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, pupils are not always able to remember long term the content they have learned. This means that they do not always build links between prior learning and new learning. The school should ensure that pupils are taught strategies to retain knowledge over time and that the curriculum is designed to support this effectively.

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