Winster CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. All pupils are making good progress in mathematics and most are making good progress in reading and writing. The progress pupils make has improved since September, particularly in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.

Teaching is good and lessons are well planned to match the wide age range of pupils in each class. Teachers use good questioning methods to encourage pupils to think hard about their learning. Pupils behave well in and around school.

They show consideration for each other and say that they feel safe. The headteacher is highly ambitious for the school and knows what needs to be done to ensure it continues to impr...ove. She has already made some important changes to improve the quality of teaching and raise achievement.

The headteacher encourages open and honest communication with parents, and parents and staff are extremely supportive of what the school is doing. The governing body is fully involved in school improvement planning. Its members have tackled some difficult situations and have shown that they hold the staff accountable for ensuring good progress.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : In some lessons, pupils are not given enough opportunity to develop their independent learning skills and are too dependent on the teacher for guidance. Marking in books does not always give individual pupils specific guidance as to how they can improve, and they are not always given time to respond to the guidance. Teachers make lessons interesting and engaging, but the longer-term planning of topics does not ensure that skills are developed over a four-year period to cater for the wide age ranges in each class.

The school does not yet have subject leaders who can support the headteacher in checking the progress of pupils across the school.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the pupil premium (additional funding to help particular pupils who need it, such as those known to be eligible for free school meals) is below average.

There are no pupils from minority ethnic groups or who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is above average. The proportion supported at school action plus or through a statement of special educational needs is average.

Pupils learn in mixed-age classes with up to four year groups in each class. No pupils are taught in alternative provision away from the school site. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress.

The school went through turbulent times during the last academic year. An interim executive headteacher led the school for the autumn term in 2012 and the current headteacher took up post in January 2013. The teacher of the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 class took up post in September 2012.