St Michael’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school High-calibre, aspirational and driven leadership has improved the school. Senior leaders have successfully strengthened the quality of teaching and sustained outstanding outcomes for pupils by the time they leave the school. Outcomes in all phases of the school have improved since the last inspection.

In recent years, pupils have made significantly more progress across key stage 2 than seen nationally in reading, writing and mathematics. Provisional assessments from 2017 show that standards are being sustained. By the end of Year 6, standards of attainment are well above those seen nationally, with half of pupils attaining the higher stand...ard in both writing and mathematics.

The quality of teaching is outstanding. The ambitious and capable teaching staff benefit considerably from a rich culture of continuing professional development. Teachers are adept at assessing pupils' level of understanding and skilfully adapt their lessons as they progress.

Pupils are keen to come to school. Levels of attendance are well above the national average. Pupils participate in lessons eagerly and want to get involved.

Occasionally, they do not take enough care with handwriting or present their work as well as they could. Behaviour is exemplary. Pupils sustain their concentration throughout lessons and show a real enjoyment in learning.

Rewards are used skilfully to reinforce positive behaviours, which pupils readily uphold. The curriculum is wide-ranging and is well supplemented by trips out of school and visitors into school. A comprehensive review of the curriculum has ensured that teachers have a very secure understanding of national curriculum expectations.

Pupils' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is strong. They benefit from rich and memorable experiences that develop their understanding of the world. Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Safeguarding of pupils has a high priority and all members of staff are vigilant. The quality of the early years is outstanding. Children make excellent progress in developing reading, writing and number skills.

The addition of the new Nursery which opened this term has further enhanced early years provision. Nevertheless, more could be done to foster a strong partnership with parents. The governors provide thoughtful strategic leadership.

Their carefully considered decisions have moved the school forward since the last inspection.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The large majority of pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium is below average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below the national average.

The school meets the government's current floor targets, which are the minimum expectation for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics at the end of key stage 2. The school runs a breakfast club and offers after-school provision. The school began offering Nursery provision for up to 22 children in September 2017.

There are currently 14 children attending the Nursery. The school is a hub for school-centred initial teacher training. Both the headteacher and the deputy headteacher have part-time secondments and teach professional studies to trainees.