St Nicholas Church of England First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength of the school and enables the pupils to become caring and thoughtful young citizens. Children get off to a good start in the Nursery and Reception classes and become confident early learners. Pupils of all abilities make good progress as they move through the school, particularly in their reading.

Pupils reach well above expected attainment levels in their work by the end of Year 2 and Year 4. Teaching is good. Staff use questions well to check what pupils know and understand.

The team of skilled teaching assistants support learning effectively. Pupils' beha...viour is good and they get on very well together. They have a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe.

Senior leaders and governors have an accurate view of the quality of education provided. This informs school improvement planning well and leads to better teaching and gains in achievement. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching is not consistently challenging enough for all pupils, particularly in mathematics.

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage do not have free access to outdoor learning activities. Areas for improvement are sometimes not followed up swiftly enough once checks on pupils' learning have been made. A small number of parents and carers believe their concerns are not considered well enough.

Information about this school

This is a larger than average-sized first school. Around 10% of pupils are from minority ethnic groups, which is much less than the national average. A very small number of these pupils speak English as an additional language.

Around 14% of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which is well below the national average. In this school this provides additional funding for those known to be eligible for free school meals. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is well below the national average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is about half the national average. Since the previous inspection there have been new appointments to all senior leadership posts. A new headteacher has recently been appointed to start next term.