St Michaels CofE Primary School, Steventon Village

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The new headteacher and leadership team have been successful in improving the school. They have used advice and support wisely to help them to sequence initiatives well. As a result, teaching is good and outcomes for pupils are improving rapidly.

Assessment systems have been revised and reviewed. Information about pupils' learning is regularly checked to ensure that it is accurate and useful. The carefully chosen values that underpin the school's work are well known by everyone.

They have provided firm foundations on which leaders are cementing shared expectations of conduct and attitudes. Pupils have a clear understanding of what these v...alues mean in their daily lives, and most are successful in using them to guide their choices. Governance is effective.

Governors have successfully ensured that they have the skills and information they need to hold leaders effectively to account. Current pupils are making good progress from their starting points, including disadvantaged pupils. Nevertheless, not enough pupils are reaching the higher standards in writing.

Leaders have shown that they have the capacity to further improve the quality of teaching. While teaching is mostly good, occasionally it is not matched closely enough to pupils' needs or abilities. The curriculum is broad, rich and interesting for pupils.

Pupils benefit from a varied and interesting daily diet of teaching and learning. However, the curriculum does not provide enough opportunity for pupils, particularly the most able, to extend and apply their writing skills. Children get off to a strong start in the early years.

Current children are making good progress to be well prepared for Year 1.

Information about this school

St Michael's Church of England Primary School is a smaller-than-average-sized primary school. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

In 2017, the school expanded the early years foundation stage to include nursery provision. Since the previous inspection, the school has appointed a new headteacher and a new senior leadership team is in place. External reviews of governance and several other aspects of the school's work have been commissioned.

The local authority has provided an enhanced level of support for school leaders. The school has a smaller-than-average proportion of pupils who are supported by pupil premium funding. The school's last statutory inspection of Anglican and Methodist schools (SIAMS) took place in October 2015.