St Michael’s Church of England Primary School, Sandhurst

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have taken effective action to ensure that the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is typically good and improving rapidly. Staff appreciate the effective professional development that they receive. Leaders and governors have an accurate view of the school's strengths and areas for development.

Together with a highly dedicated staff team, they are committed to improving the school further. Leaders and governors have responded well to a recent decline in standards. With effective support from the local authority, leaders have ensured that pupils receive a good quality of education.

Middle leaders are knowledgeable about th...eir subjects. They are having a positive impact on improving teaching and pupils' outcomes. Pupils behave well and take great pride in their work.

They enjoy their learning and are excited about the wide range of activities on offer. Safeguarding is effective. Pupils are looked after well.

Leaders know and understand the risks facing their pupils. However, some safeguarding records are not well organised. Leaders have ensured that pupils enjoy an exciting curriculum.

Pupils have a breadth of knowledge on a wide range of topics. However, opportunities to improve specific skills, in subjects other than English or mathematics, are still developing. Current pupils are typically making good progress in English and mathematics, especially in upper key stage 2.

Attainment in English and mathematics is high. However, strategies to strengthen pupils' progress further in writing and mathematics are not yet fully embedded across the school. Parents are pleased with the positive start their children make to school in the early years.

Children are challenged well in their early reading, writing and mathematics skills and, consequently, make good progress. However, the outside area is underdeveloped, and this hinders the progress children can make in other areas of the curriculum, particularly for the most able children. The leadership of provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is not strong.

As a result, pupils with SEND make variable progress in the school.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school, with one class in each year group. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds.

A new chair of governors took on the role in September 2018. The headteacher is retiring at the end of this academic year. A new headteacher has been appointed and will start in September 2019.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average. The proportion of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds is below the national average. An inspection of the school's distinctive Christian character was carried out under section 48 of the 2005 Education Act in September 2015.

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