Sturry Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Inspirational leadership at all levels is a key factor behind this outstanding school's success. It is the driving force that has raised standards and improved teaching.

The headteacher leads her team with passion. Checks on the quality of teaching and pupils' progress are rigorous and effective. Close links with the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust and the leaders of the other schools ensures expertise is shared widely to improve the school further.

Pupils achieve standards at the end of Year 2 and Year 6 that are consistently above the national averages in reading, writing and mathematics. Consistently good teaching with mu...ch that is outstanding enables all pupils to make excellent progress. Newly qualified teachers quickly develop their skills, because they receive high-quality training and support.'

Catch up, stay up' is the motto for ensuring pupils do not fall behind. Immediate assessments of pupils' understanding during lessons lead to quick catch-up sessions later that day. Pupils' progress is accelerated as a result.

Pupils enjoy their lessons because they are exciting and make them think. They concentrate well and work very hard at all times. Pupils feel very safe.

They display excellent manners, are polite and work well together. Parents agree their children are well looked after. Disabled pupils, those with special educational needs and disadvantaged pupils make rapid and sustained progress from their starting points.

Meticulously planned work effectively meets their needs and leaders carefully track their progress. Outstanding specialised staff support pupils who may have difficulty in maintaining good behaviour. As a result, incidences of poor behaviour have declined over time and are infrequent.

Children in the Reception classes make rapid progress in an attractive and exciting setting. Children flourish and become confident learners who are well prepared to move into Year 1. Pupils' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is promoted strongly through a broad range of subjects, trips and visits.

The school's values of compassion, respect, truth and friendship are at the forefront of everything they do. Governance is outstanding. An excellent understanding of the school enables governors to challenge leaders effectively.

The board of trustees and the local governing body work well together to maintain the very high standards of achievement and teaching.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. There are two classes in each year group.

The school converted to an academy in November 2012. It is the sponsor academy for the Stour Academy Trust. When previously inspected in 2010, under the same name, it was judged good.

Approximately a third of all pupils are eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding for disadvantaged pupils known to be eligible for free school meals or who are looked after); this is above average. Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. Very few pupils are from minority ethnic groups or speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disabled pupils or those with special educational needs is lower than average. Children in the Reception classes attend full time. The school has a breakfast club and after-school provision managed by the governing body.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' progress and attainment in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of Year 6. The headteacher of the previous school is now the Chief Executive Officer of The Stour Academy Trust. The current headteacher has been in post since the academy formed in 2012.

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