St Stephens Church School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils' achievement is good. Pupils make good progress during their time in St Stephen's. Their attainment has improved since the previous inspection.

By the time they leave, the standards they reach are above average in reading, writing and mathematics. The most able achieve well. A higher than average proportion of pupils attains the highest levels in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of Year 6.

The early years is good. Children in the Reception class are enthusiastic learners. They get on well together and they develop the skills they need to move into Year 1.

Reading is a strength of the school. Pupils of ...all ages learn the skills they need to become confident and enthusiastic readers. Teachers have good subject knowledge.

They explain clearly and they use questions effectively to probe pupils' thinking and develop their understanding. Pupils are well looked after. Consequently, they feel safe and parents and staff are confident that the school is a safe place in which to learn.

Pupils' behaviour around the school is good. In lessons pupils try hard. They are welcoming and polite to each other and all members of the school community.

Pupils' personal development has a high priority. All pupils are known as individuals to all adults in school. They are treated with respect and they willingly reflect this respect back to others.

The new headteacher has quickly gained an accurate view of what the school does well and what could be even better. He is well supported by other leaders and governors in making sure that the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement is continuing to improve. Governors are ambitious for the school.

They are fully involved in checking how well things are going. They make sure that the headteacher and other leaders are making the changes necessary to help the school to be even better. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The quality of teaching is not yet outstanding.

Not enough pupils make rapid progress from their starting points. The comments teachers write when they mark pupils' work do not always give clear enough advice about how to improve, especially in mathematics. Teachers do not always check pupils' understanding sufficiently during lessons.

As a result, they are not always well placed to adjust their teaching to help pupils to make the best possible progress.

Information about this school

St Stephen's Church of England Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school. The headteacher started at the school is September 2014.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for the pupil premium funding (provided for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after by the local authority) is lower than average. Most of the pupils are from a White British background. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is in line with the national average.

Children in the Reception classes all attend full time. The school runs a breakfast club, which is managed by the governing body. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.