St Thomas Church of England Primary School, Lydiate

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are immensely proud to attend this exceptional school. Children in the early years and pupils across the school thrive, partly due to the care and guidance that they receive from staff.

Pupils relish coming to this happy school each day.

The school has an unswerving commitment to excellence which permeates throughout the whole school community. Pupils benefit from a highly engaging curriculum which enables pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to flourish in all aspects of school life.

Pupils eagerly rise to meet the school's demanding expectations for their learning. They achieve extremely well.

Pu...pils behave impeccably.

They live and breathe the school's values in all that they say and do. Pupils are exceptionally respectful and tolerant of people from other faiths and cultures. They show a deep understanding of what it means to be active and responsible citizens in modern Britain.

Pupils make an exceptionally strong contribution to the life of the school. For example, every pupil in key stage 2 avidly takes on many leadership roles in school. These include working as arts or humanities ambassadors or members of the diversity team and the caring in the community team.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Ably supported by the trust, the school has meticulously crafted a highly ambitious curriculum which is steeped in educational research and effective practice. The key knowledge that pupils should learn, and the order in which they should learn it, is clearly identified. This helps pupils to experience an exceptionally well-connected learning journey from the early years to the end of Year 6.

Staff greatly value the high-quality training that the school and trust provide. Staff appreciate the school's actions to reduce their workload, for example by providing curriculum guidance and resources. As a result, staff expertly teach the curriculum with both enthusiasm and flair.

Staff use assessment information exceptionally well to address misconceptions or gaps in pupils' knowledge. Staff emphasise the links with earlier learning when introducing new subject content so that pupils build upon their prior knowledge highly effectively. Pupils progress extremely well through the curriculum.

The school accurately identifies the additional needs of pupils with SEND. Staff provide swift and helpful support for these pupils so that they learn the same content as their peers. Pupils with SEND achieve exceptionally well across the curriculum.

Reading is at the front and centre of the school's curriculum. Staff immerse children in the early years in nursery rhymes and in much-loved stories and traditional tales.

Pupils benefit from consistently high-quality phonics sessions.

They read confidently from books that are precisely matched to the sounds that pupils have learned. Any pupils who may find early reading difficult are provided with swift support so that they keep up with the pace of the phonics programme.

Older pupils have extremely positive attitudes to reading.

They spoke knowledgeably about different types of texts and their favourite authors.

The school's programme to enhance pupils' personal development is exemplary. The 'beacons of light' lessons enable pupils to gain a deep understanding of the wider world.

These lessons also support pupils to learn about important issues such as how to save money and how to spend it wisely. Pupils who met with inspectors proudly showed their individual passports which they use to record the many and varied activities that they have undertaken as part of their wider development. Pupils are extremely well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Pupils have a breadth of opportunities to develop their confidence and teamwork skills to an exceptional level. For instance, pupils regularly perform in dance and drama activities as well as sporting events. Pupils also use their enterprise skills to make items to sell, which raises money for causes close to their heart.

The school places a high priority on ensuring that pupils behave extremely well. Children in the early years quickly learn the school's routines and values. Pupils proudly follow the school's rules.

The care and consideration that they show to staff and to each other are exemplary.

Trustees and members of the local governing body provide the school with unwavering support and challenge. They share the school's continual drive for excellence in all areas of school life.

Pupils and parents and carers who shared their views with inspectors cannot praise the school highly enough. They feel fortunate to belong to such a harmonious and caring school community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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