Kersey Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a school that requires improvement The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is variable.

As a result, progress for pupils currently in the school is not good across the board. The quality of education provided has declined since the previous inspection. Despite leaders' efforts, a small number of pupils are absent too frequently.

Some teachers' expectations of what pupils can achieve are too low. Pupils' work varies in both quality and presentation between subjects and classes. Teachers do not use assessment information well to plan activities that are appropriately challenging.

Therefore, some pupils do not make the progress of which ...they are capable. Teachers do not use leaders' chosen teaching and assessment methods consistently. Consequently, teachers are not having the maximum impact on pupils' learning and progress.

In the past, pupils, including the most able, have not made the progress that they should have in writing and mathematics by the end of key stage 2. Currently, pupils are making good progress in mathematics, but progress in writing is more variable. In early years, adults do not plan activities carefully enough to challenge children and to make best use of opportunities to assess children's learning.

The school has the following strengths Leaders and governors have an accurate view of the school. They understand what needs to be done and are securing some improvements. Leaders have ensured that the curriculum is broad and balanced.

Most pupils gain the skills needed for the next stage of their education. Pupils enjoy reading. Most pupils make good progress in reading from their different starting points.

Where teaching is effective, pupils make strong progress in a range of subjects. Pupils' personal development, behaviour and welfare are good. Pupils get on well with others, are considerate and reflect the school's caring ethos.

Information about this school

Kersey Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. The very large majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils eligible for support through the pupil premium and the proportion of pupils with SEND are much smaller than is found in most primary schools.

The school is in the Anglican Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. The most recent section 48 inspection of the religious character of the school took place on 10 February 2017. The executive headteacher took up her post in September 2016.

Since the previous inspection in 2012, there have been two changes in headteacher and a number of changes in staffing. The executive headteacher is also headteacher of Hintlesham and Chattisham Church of England Primary School. The two schools work in partnership with one another, including sharing good practice and development opportunities, including mentoring for newly qualified teachers at Kersey Primary.

The school is also a member of the Hadleigh Pyramid, a group of nine schools that regularly collaborate with one another. The local authority provides support and challenge to the school leaders through regular visits from a standards and excellence officer. The school has a Reception class, a mixed-year key stage 1 class and two mixed-year key stage 2 classes.