Ursula Taylor Church of England School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school which thoroughly deserves its reputation in the local area for the quality of the education it provides.

The inspirational and caring leadership and management provided by the headteacher, supported by the deputy headteacher, successfully promote high aspirations amongst staff. This leads to a consistently good quality of teaching and learning. The effective curriculum includes motivating, interesting topics which are of particular interest to girls and boys alike.

As a result, pupils enjoy school and outcomes are outstanding in many areas. Specialist teacher knowledge in information and communication technology ensures pupils have advanced skills when using computers. T...he expertise of the leader in the Early Years Foundation Stage has made a significant difference to the quality of provision in Reception.

The previous issue over providing more practical experiences is now a strong feature of children's learning, exemplified by the 'Best Garden' award in the borough. Attainment by the time pupils leave in Year 4 has mostly been maintained at above the nationally expected levels since the previous inspection. The school's data shows that the attainment of boys in writing at the end of each key stage is below that for girls.

The school's introduction of strategies to promote better writing skills shows clear signs of success and is closing the gap, especially by Year 2 where it was widest. Children in Reception benefit from daily sessions to learn letters and sounds and have good opportunities to write in most activities. However, a scrutiny of the books of older pupils shows that opportunities to write at length in literacy and other subjects are limited.

This means that pupils are not provided with sufficient opportunities to practise new skills or consolidate new learning. Underpinning consistently good teaching is teachers' effective use of assessment to plan challenging work for pupils of all abilities. Higher-attaining pupils are usually well challenged.

Similarly, the effective provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities results from support which is tailored carefully to meet individual needs. This ensures that most make good progress. The caring staff provide an exceptionally nurturing environment for pupils, who feel perfectly safe and extremely well cared for.

The high quality of day care is appreciated by parents and carers, and enjoyed by pupils. However, the inspectors identified weaknesses in health and safety procedures which staff and governors had not identified. The headteacher took immediate and decisive action to tighten procedures and ensure the safety of pupils.

Pupils have excellent social skills and their behaviour is exemplary. Parents and carers, in turn, are highly satisfied by the school, which maintains an outstanding partnership with them. Leadership and management are good.

Staff and the governing body share a common ambition and vision for success. Accurate school self-evaluation and a determination to continually improve have resulted in some aspects being judged as outstanding in this inspection. As a result, the school has a good capacity for further sustained improvement.

Information about the school

The school is slightly larger than the average primary school. There are not always enough places for all those who wish to attend. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is average but the number with a statement of educational needs is below average. Few pupils are known to be eligible for free school meals. The school has Healthy School status.

There is an outdoor swimming pool on site. Day care is provided in 'Active Kids' sessions before school starts for one hour and after school from 3.30pm until 6pm.

This is managed by the school and led by a member of the school staff. There are 65 pupils on the register but sessions are limited to 32 pupils to maintain a favourable ratio of pupils to adults. Seventeen pupils attended the breakfast club and 26 pupils attended the after-school club during the inspection.