Bramber Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher leads the school with determination. Her actions have ensured that the school has remained stable during the recent expansion in key stage 2.

Parents value the supportive culture of the school. They are particularly positive about the pastoral support their children receive from the whole staff team. Staff appreciate the guidance they receive from leaders.

The professional development of teaching and support staff has been a top priority in the transition to primary status. The school's curriculum meets the needs of pupils well. Pupils benefit from the rich opportunities they have in the arts and in sports.

Pupils... enjoy being in lessons because the quality of teaching is good and teachers and support staff work hard to make learning exciting and purposeful. School leaders have accurate insight into the school's strengths and weaknesses. Governors are supportive and have a good grasp of their responsibilities.

Pupils behave very well and show excellent attitudes to school and learning. Rates of attendance are high, including for vulnerable groups. Absence is low compared to other schools nationally.

Children get off to a good start in the early years. Their personal, social and emotional needs are met particularly successfully. Safeguarding is effective.

Systems for protecting pupils are sound. Middle leadership needs to be developed so that subject and phase leaders have more impact on improving the quality of teaching and learning throughout the school. Most pupils make good or better progress across all stages of the school.

However, aspirations for the most able need to be raised. This includes in the early years. Boys need to make better progress in Reception and key stage 1 so that their attainment improves to match that of girls, especially in reading and writing.

Information about this school

Bramber Primary School is slightly smaller than an average-sized primary school. Although the school will eventually have one form of entry, there are currently 'bulge' years to facilitate the move from First School to Primary School status. The school has expanded incrementally over the last three years, adding Years 4, 5 and 6.

Prior to expansion, Bramber First School was last inspected in January 2010, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be outstanding. This is the first year that the school has had pupils in Year 6. Because of this, the school does not yet have end-of-key-stage-2 test and assessment results to compare its performance to other schools nationally.