Tolleshunt D’Arcy St Nicholas Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The executive headteacher and head of school share high expectations and a clear understanding of what constitutes effective teaching and learning.

They lead with drive and rigour. The partnering of this school with a local primary academy has been instrumental in bringing about rapid school improvement. The headteacher is ably supported by an enthusiastic and increasingly capable staff who are making a significant contribution to improving pupils' learning.

Governors have a vision for the school's development. They are knowledgeable, well informed and offer school leaders appropriate challenge and support. Parents and carers are positive... about the school and recognise the improvements and rapid changes that have been made.

Pupils behave well in their lessons. A consistent approach by all staff means that pupils always know what is expected of them throughout the school day. The school is maintained as a safe and secure environment.

Pupils say that they feel safe and safeguarding procedures are effective. Children have a good start at school. They join Year 1 as confident and independent learners having made good progress in early years.

Phonics teaching is good. Pupils use their understanding of letters and sounds effectively in their reading. Teachers and support staff are given excellent opportunities to develop their own practice.

This means that the quality of provision for pupils is always improving. The historical underachievement of pupils is being addressed. A greater proportion of pupils are now working at the level expected for their age.

However, in some year groups, pupils' outcomes in writing are not as strong as they are for reading and mathematics. The most able pupils do not yet routinely have their needs fully met and so are not consistently making as much progress as they could. Despite the work of leaders, which has had some effect, rates of absence and persistent absence remain above the national average.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than most primary schools. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is in line with the national average. The percentage of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is higher than for most primary schools nationally.

The majority of the school's pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils from a minority ethnic background is low. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment in reading, writing and mathematics for Year 6 pupils.

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