St Michael’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, St Albans

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud to attend this close-knit, community-minded school. They enjoy knowing they are part of the school's important heritage, which includes being above a Roman wall and basilica. Pupils are highly aware of and enthused about the school's legacy and their impact on it.

Pupils behave exceptionally well because staff have unwaveringly high expectations. They keep pupils safe. This is important as some aspects of the school layout mean pupils must move between school buildings and play sites.

Pupils know, follow and understand the school rules very well.

Staff have high expectations for pupils' work and what they can achieve. Pupils live up to these ...expectations and work very hard.

As a result, pupils' knowledge in all subjects develops exceptionally well.

Recently, the school has warmly welcomed many new pupils. These pupils have settled quickly due to the straightforward school routines.

Pupils already at the school are kind and considerate to these new starters.

Pupils are self-confident and self-assured. They gain a thorough understanding of how to help themselves if they have worries.

Skilled teaching helps pupils to learn how to overcome challenges and build resilience. Pupils know that the staff have their best interests at heart.

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

The school has devised well-structured curriculum plans.

These specify the small steps of skills and knowledge pupils need to learn at every stage. These plans include careful consideration of subject-specific vocabulary and links between subjects. Teachers devise exciting and focused learning opportunities for pupils.

Consequently, pupils love to learn. Teachers are well trained. They use the school's chosen teaching approaches well.

This ensures they impart knowledge to pupils expertly. They also create activities that help pupils remember each topic's key elements. Pupils retain their learning over time.

Teachers carefully check pupils' knowledge development. Pupils receive tailored support, if needed, to help them catch up. As a result, pupils achieve exceptionally well.

In the early years, expert staff provide interesting learning opportunities that engage children. Staff encourage and guide children to develop their communication and language skills to a high standard. As a result, children are extremely well prepared for their next learning stage.

When they start school, all pupils learn a well-structured phonics programme. They recap and recall sounds every day, which helps them remember what they have learned. Pupils practise reading often and they read books that match their phonics knowledge.

Therefore, they are getting the practice they need to become fluent readers. Pupils across the school love to read; they take every opportunity to enjoy a book. Children in Reception read and share books with staff.

This helps them learn more about the wider world and extend their vocabulary. Pupils throughout the school read with confidence.Skilled staff support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Staff work closely with parents and carers to help them identify pupils' additional needs. Staff know the pupils well. They provide individual support to pupils when needed while also building pupils' independence skills.

Pupils with SEND achieve exceptionally well alongside their peers.Pupils know how to behave remarkably well in a range of situations. They are calm and quiet when walking from one space to another.

Pupils know this is the expectation, and they follow it. In the playground, pupils have different rules depending on how much space they have to play. Pupils are clear that this is important and helps keep them all very safe.

Pupils always show mature attitudes. This makes for a highly positive learning environment.Pupils develop a deep understanding of respect and empathy for others.

The school prioritises the happiness of its pupils. All staff work tirelessly to achieve this goal. The school has a well-developed approach to pupil development.

This is clear in its focus on aspirations and enabling pupils to live fulfilling lives. There is a strong emphasis on wisdom and exploration across all areas of school life, including assemblies, clubs, trips and visits. This builds pupils' confidence for the next stage of their education.

Leaders and school governors work together to ensure the school continues its drive for improvement. They have been proactive in making changes to ensure that all subjects meet the needs of the pupils. For example, they change the periods and places taught in history to give pupils more insight into the pupils coming into the school.

Staff receive highly successful training to ensure they can perform their roles well. School leaders make sure they consider the staff's workload, which they appreciate.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.