St Thomas’ CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children settle quickly, because of close working with parents and carers, and make rapid progress from low starting points. Pupils sustain this rapid progress in all key stages and achieve well. The proportion of pupils making accelerated progress in Key Stage 2 is exceptionally high.

All groups of pupils achieve equally well. Disadvantaged pupils achieve as highly as their peers. Pupils display exemplary behaviour and attitudes.

They leave the school as articulate and mature learners, ready for the next stage of their education. Committed teachers ensure they deliver interesting les...sons, designed to move pupils on swiftly. Teaching is further strengthened through input from middle and senior leaders on a daily basis.

Leaders work as a close-knit team, led by a highly effective headteacher. Governance is strong. Governors know the school extremely well and are able to challenge leaders about their work robustly.

Pupils are safe and are taught how to keep themselves safe in a range of environments. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural work of the school is a strength. Pupils benefit from a rich curriculum, and a wide range of experiences which equip them for life in modern Britain.

Parents, pupils and staff are unanimously supportive of the school.

Information about this school

St Thomas' is an average-sized primary school. It is a voluntary-aided Church of England primary school.

There is one class in each year group from Nursery to Year 6. Children in the Nursery class attend full time. Three quarters of the pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

This proportion is well above average. The main groups are Black Caribbean, Black African, any other mixed background and any other ethnic group. The school has identified a small, but significant, group of pupils from Moroccan backgrounds.

Just under half of the pupils speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils or those who have special educational needs is slightly above average. In 2014, five pupils had a statement of special educational needs.

Disadvantaged pupils make up almost two thirds of those on roll. This proportion is well above the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standard, which sets the minimum expectation for pupils' attainment and progress.