Cotherstone Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Excellent leadership by the headteacher, who is well supported by the deputy headteacher and governors, has ensured that the school has improved very well since the previous inspection.

Pupils' progress, the standards they reach and the quality of teaching have all improved well. Pupils make excellent progress from starting points which are broadly typical for their age when they start in the Reception class. By the end of Year 6, pupils attain standards which are well above the national average in reading, writing and in mathematics.

Pupils' progress is tracked very carefully by the headteacher to ensure that all pupils are set ...challenging, attainable targets. She recognises that a reduction in the amount of adult support for pupils with special educational needs has created a need for more and better-adapted learning resources to ensure these pupils continue to make the same progress as their peers. Teaching is outstanding because teachers know their pupils well and plan carefully to meet the needs of all in the mixed-age classes.

Teachers set challenging work, which motivates pupils to do their best. Pupils say they feel completely safe at school. Their behaviour is excellent.

Good cooperation between pupils makes a strong contribution to their rapid rate of learning. Outside of lessons pupils play well together, with older pupils making sure that younger children are looked after and no one is left out. Children in the Reception class get off to a very good start.

They settle quickly into routines and follow the excellent example set by Year 1 children. They soon become confident learners, well able to direct their own learning and work at a good pace. A creative curriculum provides many exciting and memorable experiences which fire pupils' enthusiasm for learning.

The school involves parents very well in their children's learning and creates many opportunities for them to join in the life of the school.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children in the care of the local authority, those from armed services families and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, is below average.

All pupils are White British and none speaks English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs who are supported at school action is below average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average.

An above average proportion of children join or leave the school partway through their education as families move in and out of the area. The school exceeds the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress. Since the previous inspection there was a temporary change in the leadership of the school, owing to the absence of the headteacher.