Steep Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Children in this school have a wonderful start and go on to become confident and successful learners.

From early years onwards, pupils are exceptionally well behaved. They act courteously and are polite. They demonstrate the school's values by being kind and generous to each other.

There are very strong and respectful professional relationships among pupils and staff. As a result, pupils are very proud of their school and enjoy attending. Parents and carers equally value the work of the school.

Typical comments include 'This is a school where children feel valued and part of the school family.' Pupils talk with conviction about fairness and tolerance at an ag...e-appropriate level. They demonstrate this in the way they treat each other, regardless of any differences between them.

This school is aspirational for all pupils. They enjoy learning because they experience an ambitious and interesting curriculum. In class, pupils pay close attention to their teachers and work with great effort.

This is an inclusive school where pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are given the knowledge and tools that they need to access the whole curriculum and full school experience. Pupils make good progress through the curriculum. Year 6 pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of their education.

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

The school has developed a rich and ambitious curriculum that inspires and engages pupils. For example, in design technology, pupils enjoy learning about noted engineers and use computer-aided design for their project work. The curriculum focuses on ensuring that pupils can build and connect knowledge across a broad range of subjects.

The school has thought carefully about what it wants pupils to learn and when.

There are strong systems in place to check pupils' progress through the curriculum and to identify any gaps in their knowledge. Teachers use this information well to secure pupils' understanding across subjects.

Occasionally, staff do not design activities precisely enough. This can make it harder for pupils to learn.

The school expects pupils to achieve highly, and they do.

The school ensures that the additional needs of pupils with SEND are identified quickly. Pupils with SEND achieve well in all key stages. This is because teaching staff make skilful adaptations to the curriculum.

Children settle very quickly into Reception because of familiar and consistent routines. Professional relationships between staff and children are exceptionally strong and caring. The school plans inspirational activities to develop children's knowledge and skills in early reading and mathematics.

Staff use every opportunity to hold high-quality conversations, prompt thinking and move children on in their learning. Woven throughout the curriculum are experiences such as visits from the fire brigade. These are designed to enrich pupils' experiences.

The school prioritises reading. Skilled staff quickly identify those pupils who struggle to read. They put in place effective help so that pupils catch up rapidly with their peers.

Well-trained staff deliver phonics sessions expertly. They carefully check that pupils are progressing well. This means that pupils quickly become fluent readers who are enthralled by interesting stories.

The school ensures that pupils will encounter a wonderfully wide range of high-quality books that helps them understand the world from a variety of perspectives.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Pupils throughout the school listen attentively to their teachers and their peers.

The school makes sure that pupils and their families understand the importance of being at school regularly. Consequently, pupils have very high attendance and love to come to school.

The school ensures that pupils have a secure understanding of what it means to live in modern Britain.

The school encourages pupils to recognise the importance of equality and respect. Pupils learn about different types of families, cultures and religions because of a carefully considered personal, social and health education curriculum. The school makes sure that all pupils can participate in, and make the best of, the vast array of clubs and activities on offer to them.

The school is led with passion and determination. There is a strong culture of mutual support and teamwork. Staff are passionate about ensuring that every pupil has the best possible chances to enjoy school and achieve well.

Governors hold a strong and accurate understanding of the school. They share leaders' ambition and are highly effective.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Sometimes, work set in lessons is not precisely matched to the important knowledge that pupils need to learn. As a result, some pupils find it harder to learn and commit new information into their long-term memory. The school should ensure that the work set to help pupils secure and embed their learning precisely matches the knowledge set out in the curriculum.