Churchfields, the Village School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The school has built well on strengths seen at the last inspection.

It is improving strongly and there are significant strengths in some aspects of its work. Pupils achieve well in all phases of the school and at both sites. From their above average attainment on entry, pupils do especially well in reading, mathematics and oral communication.

The school makes excellent use of the pupil premium funding, including for disabled pupils and those with special educational needs. As a result, their achievement is outstanding. Teaching is consistently good and occasionally outstanding.

The quality of marking, advice on how to improve an...d use of pupils' targets to motivate progress are exemplary. Teachers' excellent relationships with pupils help promote outstanding behaviour management. The headteacher has gained the total commitment of all members of the school community and established high quality teamwork.

As a result, the amalgamation of the two schools has been highly successful. Staff and members of the governing body support self-evaluation and development, especially improvement in the quality of teaching, well. There is good awareness of where improvement is still needed, with plans in place to address remaining weaknesses.

Pupils' personal development is outstanding. Their behaviour is excellent, as are their attitudes to learning. The high regard the school gives to ensuring pupils' safety is seen in the excellent policies and procedures in place and swift response to any potential hazard.

The school's outstanding partnership with parents and carers has ensured that they give excellent support to their children's learning. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Attainment in writing is not as good as in other important subjects because of shortcomings in pupils' spelling and their ability to write in different formats and use a wide range of effective vocabulary. Teachers do not always plan lesson activities that allow pupils to do their very best and this limits the achievement of some higher attainers.

Information about this school

Churchfield is a small school based on two sites in the villages of Atworth and Monkton Farleigh. All pupils are taught in mixed age classes. A very small minority of pupils are supported by school action, school action plus or a statement of special educational needs.

This is below the national average. Very few pupils come from other disadvantaged groups and only a small minority are known to be eligible for the pupil premium. This is also below the national average.

Since its last inspection the school roll has increased by a third and a higher proportion of pupils than is seen nationally joined the school after Reception or left before Year 6. There has also been a high turnover of staff, including a change in headteacher. The school has met government floor standards in English and mathematics (these are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress required by the government).

Also at this postcode