St Nicholas CEVC Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. The headteacher provides inspirational leadership and is uncompromising in her drive for excellence in all areas of school life. She is supported by a highly effective staff team who share her high expectations for every pupil in the school.

Teachers and support staff alike are committed to doing their very best to enable pupils to enjoy school and to make rapid progress. Pupils learn exceptionally well in all subjects because they are treated as individuals, whose personal and learning needs are known by every adult. Activities are tailored carefully to meet these needs so that each day's learning builds on the last.

Behaviour i...s exemplary and pupils take part in every lesson with great enthusiasm. They feel very safe and show respect for all around them. The constantly evolving, exciting curriculum gives pupils a rich variety of experiences that prepare them extremely well for junior school.

Pupils achieve high standards in reading, writing and mathematics and do equally well in all other subjects. The governing body is highly effective in both challenging and supporting the school. Staff and governors work very closely together to check how well the school is doing and plan actions to make teaching even better.

As a result, the school has improved even further since the previous inspection. Every pupil is treated as an individual and staff make sure all are given equally good opportunities to excel. The school works very well in partnership with parents and carers, involving them fully in their children's learning.

Information about this school

This school is much smaller than average. Pupils are taught in four classes: Reception, Reception/Year 1, Year 1/2 and Year 2. The Reception and Year 2 classes are both taught by two job-share teachers.

The majority of pupils are of White British heritage. An increasing number come from a range of minority ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language has almost doubled in the last three years.

A lower-than-average proportion of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional funding from the government for pupils looked after by the local authority, pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, or those with parents in the armed services). The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported through school action is above average at around 17%. About 7% of pupils are currently supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs.

This is broadly average. The school does not use any alternative provision for its pupils. The school has won a number of awards in recent years in recognition of its achievements.