Buckland Brewer Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school.

All pupils make good progress and their attainment by the end of Year 6 is above average in English and mathematics. Achievement in reading of pupils in Years 1 and 2 is good, but those who find greater difficulty in learning to read are not always provided with sufficiently challenging texts. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make good progress in almost all aspects of their learning, but their small number limits their opportunities for social development.

All teaching is at least good. In Years 3 to 6, it is often outstanding and is sometimes inspirational. The matching of tasks to the wide range of ages and abilities in each class is a notable strength..../>
Marking and continual feedback are used very well to enable pupils to improve their work. Behaviour is outstanding. Pupils say that there has been no bullying in the recent past and their parents and carers agree.

The climate of lessons is one of excitement, collaboration and hard work, with limited intervention needed by adults. Pupils feel very safe at school and have an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Arrangements to keep pupils safe are effective and meet all requirements.

Leadership and management are outstanding; leaders and managers have brought about major improvements since the establishment of the federation. These improvements, especially to teaching and pupils' achievement, are now secure and demonstrate the school's strong capacity for improvement. The executive headteacher, governing body and staff share an ambitious, yet realistic vision for the future of the school and federation.

Parents and carers are universal in their praise and support for the school and recommend it to others strongly.

Information about the school

The school is of much smaller than average size and serves a village and surrounding rural area. There are two classes, in one of which children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught with pupils in Years 1 and 2.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is average, their needs relate mainly to moderate learning difficulties and to disorders on the autistic spectrum. All pupils are of White British ethnicity; the proportion known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. Government floor standards were met in 2011.

In January 2011, the school joined with another small local school to form the 'Flying Start Federation'. The federation operates under the leadership of a single governing body and an executive headteacher who leads both schools. Subject leaders operate across both schools also and opportunities for professional development are made available to all staff across the federation.