Thurlestone All Saints Church of England Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Children are confident and respond well to activities that help them to make good progress in the Reception class, particularly with their physical and social development.

Pupils achieve well in reading and are keen readers. They have a good understanding of writing styles of different authors. Achievement is good in writing and mathematics.

Pupils achieve high standards in competitive sports. Good teaching meets the needs of the different abilities of pupils in the mixed-aged classes well. Teachers know their pupils well and there are excellent relationships between staff and pupils.

Pupils are highly courteous and respectful. ...They have a good understanding of bullying issues and how to keep themselves safe. Pupils' spiritual and moral development is outstanding.

Leaders and managers, including the governing body, have been effective in improving the leadership of the school, raising achievement and bringing about improvements to the quality of teaching. The school is responding well to working as part of a federation and shows a good capacity to carry on improving. It is not yet an outstanding school because: There is not enough outstanding teaching.

In mathematics, pupils do not always gain a thorough understanding of the concepts being covered. Teachers do not always take opportunities to incorporate aspects of reading, writing and mathematics into their lessons across different subjects. Marking does not always extend pupils' learning or check their understanding.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Pupils are taught in mixed-age classes. The school became part of a federation with two other local schools in the Kingsbridge area from September 2012.

The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium (the additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, those looked after by the local authority or those from armed forces families) is very small and well below average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported at school action is below average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is also below average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school has received a number of awards, including Healthy Schools and an Information and Communication Technology award. Pearson Pre-school is an independent pre-school setting on the school site and is inspected separately.