Clifton Hampden Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Clifton Hampden Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school.

What is it like to attend this school?

Parents and carers told us that this is a kind and caring school where teachers strive to make learning fun. We agree. The school has a family ethos which helps everyone involved to feel safe, happy and included.

The school has experienced much change recently. Pupils and staff have joined from a nearby school. The headteacher has worked with dedication and determination to ensure that this process has been as seamless as possible.

She ensures that staff share her vision for all pupils to achieve as much as possible. Staff told us that being all together a...t one school has helped them to work as a team. Pupils said that their initial worries quickly disappeared as they were welcomed by new friends.

Pupils get along together well. They work together happily in lessons. They listen carefully to their teachers and to each other.

This helps them to build on each other's ideas and to learn successfully. Outside, they enjoy social time in their spacious play area. Pupils trust adults to help them sort out their very occasional difficulties.

They do not worry about bullying. Parents told us how much their children enjoy school.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The headteacher and her team make sure that pupils have a wide range of experiences and develop the right knowledge and skills to achieve well.

As a result, pupils are confident and successful learners. By the time they leave the school, they are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

The new curriculum policy focuses on ensuring that pupils build on their learning, term by term.

In some subjects, such as history, this approach is supporting pupils very well to build on their knowledge. For instance, older pupils in key stage 2 were able to use what they had learned about the Mayans to help learn about the Romans. Leaders aim for such sequences of learning to be as well developed in all subjects.

Teachers adapt the curriculum plans well as they teach so that pupils gain good knowledge and understanding across a range of subjects. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from these adaptations so that learning is broken down into manageable steps. This means that they access all aspects of study alongside their peers.

This helps them to enjoy learning and experience success.

In reading, pupils get off to a good start right from Reception Year because phonics is taught very well. All adults have had the training they need to deliver the phonics programme successfully and confidently.

Leaders check learning carefully so that any pupils who start to struggle are quickly identified and given the help they need to catch up.

Pupils like reading. They are inspired by events such as the summer reading challenge and by the exciting stories read to them by their teachers.

As pupils move up the school, they learn to evaluate books, understand characters and consider the impact of writing on the reader. Occasionally, the reading book system impedes the older pupils from reading the more challenging books they are capable of accessing. However, for younger pupils, books are well matched to help them build their skills.

Teaching in mathematics helps pupils to acquire the fundamental mathematical knowledge they need. Right from the start in Reception Year, teachers ensure that pupils build a secure understanding of numbers and what they represent. Sometimes, teachers do not have high enough expectations of pupils.

They do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to extend their learning by using it to investigate or solve problems. When this happens, pupils say that mathematics can sometimes be a bit too easy. This limited challenge is apparent at times in other subjects too.

Leaders have ensured that pupils have plenty of opportunities outside of lessons. Governors said that they want the school to give every pupil 'a chance to shine'. There are plenty of clubs available and regular opportunities to take part in performances to help them to do this.

Pupils learn about the importance of being part of a community, for example through participating in the upcoming harvest festival held at the church. Pupils learn about a range of beliefs and values. They are polite and respectful.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Keeping pupils safe is at the forefront of the school's work. Everyone is well trained in spotting signs that pupils may be at risk.

Staff are confident in the steps they take to record and report any concerns. Records are meticulous. Referrals for extra help are timely and appropriate.

Adults know pupils well. They take time to build good relationships and to listen to pupils. This helps them to spot if pupils have worries or if all is not as it should be.

Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe. Sometimes, they lead this work. For example, the school council teaches others about firework safety.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Sometimes, pupils are not given enough opportunities to show what they can do and extend their understanding. Leaders should ensure that expectations of pupils are always high across the curriculum, and particularly in mathematics, so that pupils can apply their skills and extend their learning. .

Leaders have ensured that sequences of learning are well developed across a wide range of subjects. Leaders should ensure that the successful models that are in place, for example in history, are replicated so that pupils build successfully on their knowledge in all subjects.Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good.

This is called a section 8 inspection of a good school or non-exempt outstanding school. We do not give graded judgements on a section 8 inspection. However, if we find some evidence that the school could now be better than good or that standards may be declining, then the next inspection will be a section 5 inspection.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the section 8 inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will convert the section 8 inspection to a section 5 inspection immediately.

This is the second section 8 inspection since we judged the school to be good on 19 November 2010.