Thropton Village First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders, staff and governors are united in their desire to improve the school and ensure that it is at the heart of the community. They have tackled weaknesses head on and have an accurate picture of what still needs to be done.

Parents and carers have full confidence in the school and are integral to its future development. They appreciate that their views are valued. An effective partnership with the nearby middle school has improved leadership and teaching.

Teaching is improving and is now good. Strong teamwork means that expertise is shared. Leaders ensure that individuals receive well- targeted support and training.

Effectiv...e teaching ensures that pupils now make good progress in their reading, writing and mathematics and other subjects such as science and French. Staff have an in-depth knowledge of each child so that disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities receive the right support to overcome anything which might hamper their good progress. Early years provision is good.

Children settle quickly and make good gains as a result of well-planned, enjoyable opportunities to learn. Behaviour is good. Pupils want to learn and respond keenly to what their teachers are asking of them.

Lunchtimes and playtimes are relaxed and sociable. The playground is well resourced so pupils are occupied purposefully. Pupils are keen to take responsibility in class and around school.

They help each other and their teachers willingly. Pupils who are new to the school settle quickly and make friends. The curriculum has been developed carefully in response to the school's mission statement.

Pupils experience a rich range of visits and visitors to ensure that they understand their own community and the wider world. Pupils' progress in geography and history is not as strong as in other subjects because they are not challenged enough to develop skills in these subjects. Pupils, and the most able in particular, are sometimes given tasks in a range of subjects that restricts how much they can write and this prevents them being fully challenged.

In early years, some resources do not encourage exploration and investigation. Subject leaders have begun to check on the quality of the curriculum and teaching. This is at an early stage and has yet to further improve pupils' learning.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported through the pupil premium is below the national average.

Most pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average. The proportion of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is below average.

In early years, children of Nursery age attend for five mornings a week. In the Reception Year, children attend full time. There are two classes.

In the first class are children in early years and Year 1. In the second class are pupils from Years 2 to 4. The executive headteacher is also the headteacher of Dr Thomlinson Middle School in Rothbury.

A number of other staff also work across both schools. Since the previous inspection, nearly all staff and half of the governing body are new to the school. The school provides a breakfast club.