Trinity and St Michael’s VA CofE/Methodist Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Trinity and St Michael's VA CofE/Methodist Primary School continues to be an outstanding school.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils, and children in the early years, come to school happy and ready to learn.

They are excited by their learning. They look forward to what each day will bring. Pupils know that staff care for them and this helps them to feel safe.

The school has high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children in the early years through to pupils in Year 6 achieve very well. They are more than ready for the next stage of their education.

Across the school, pupils' behaviour ...is excellent. From the start of the early years, children learn, and abide by, the school rules. Classrooms are calm and purposeful.

Pupils can learn without distraction. They enjoy earning rewards such as 'value balls' and certificates that celebrate their many successes.

Pupils enjoy attending a broad range of clubs that develop their talents and interests.

For example, they learn to fence or participate in curling competitions. Pupils also have the chance to join the local brass band.

Pupils take real pleasure in taking on leadership responsibilities.

Members of the school council take their roles seriously. These pupils are very proud of the changes that they have made to improve the school lunch menu. Pupils raise funds to support charities that are close to their heart.

They are kind and empathetic towards others who find themselves in challenging circumstances.

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

The school has developed a well-thought-out curriculum. This ensures that pupils receive a broad, balanced and ambitious education.

From the early years through to Year 6, the school has carefully identified the knowledge that children and pupils need to learn. Curriculum guidance ensures that teachers know what should be taught and emphasised. This enables pupils to build their knowledge in a logical order.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They use this very well to deliver the curriculum expertly. Teachers routinely check that pupils have a secure understanding of what they have been taught before new learning is introduced.

Teachers also provide many opportunities for pupils to revisit their prior learning. This helps pupils to remember their learning over time. As a result, pupils build a deep body of knowledge.

They achieve exceptionally well.

The school has prioritised the teaching of reading. In the Reception class, staff put their training to good use to make sure that children quickly learn to link sounds and letters.

Pupils build on this strong start very well in key stage 1. Most pupils are fluent and confident readers by the end of Year 2. Those pupils who struggle to keep up with the phonics programme receive the support that they need to catch up.

Older pupils enjoy reading. Alongside visits from authors, staff ensure that pupils are exposed to a wide range of literature. This enables pupils to learn about the world in which they live.

It also enhances pupils' learning across the curriculum.

Pupils with SEND are given every opportunity to succeed. The school uses external agencies appropriately to ensure that pupils' needs are identified early.

Teachers carefully adapt their teaching approaches to help ensure that pupils with SEND access the same curriculum as their peers. The school's work to support pupils with SEND, and their families, is highly effective. As a result, these pupils achieve very well.

Pupils have a thirst for learning. They do their best in lessons because they want to succeed. Pupils demonstrate superb manners.

They are polite and respectful to each other and to adults. Children in the early years learn the importance of taking turns and listening to the ideas of others. This continues across key stages 1 and 2.

Pupils are confident to share their views because they know that they are valued as individuals. This contributes to the warm and welcoming atmosphere within the school.

Pupils have ample opportunities to learn beyond the academic curriculum.

The school ensures that pupils learn how to keep themselves safe when working or playing online. Pupils know the importance of fundamental British values. The 'rainbow day' is just one example of how the school enables pupils to gain a deep understanding of how people in the school and in modern society should be valued and treated.

Staff feel appreciated. They are immensely proud to work at the school. They receive suitable support and guidance to carry out their roles effectively.

This helps them to manage their workload. Governors work in close partnership with the school to ensure that their vision for excellence is realised. The school's work is highly effective.

It has ensured that pupils have an excellent start to their education, along with many fond memories of their time in primary school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Background

When we have judged a school to be outstanding, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains outstanding.

This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection, which is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be outstanding in March 2016.

Also at this postcode