Long Bennington Church of England Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Following the previous inspection, standards and progress declined. However, new leaders have improved the quality of the curriculum.

They have ensured that there is a consistent approach to teaching and learning. Standards have risen. Leaders have ensured that staff have accurate assessments of what pupils already know.

Pupils' progress is improving throughout the school. However, not all of the most able pupils make as much progress as they could. Senior leaders have established clear roles within a new leadership structure.

Some subject leaders are in the early stages of developing the skills that they need to further improve ...their area of responsibility. Governors work alongside school leaders to check the progress that pupils are making. Governors hold leaders to account with rigour.

Teachers provide effective feedback for pupils in mathematics. They spot when pupils do not understand something. Misconceptions are quickly addressed.

Pupils make strong progress in reading. They read fluently and with interest in the text that they have chosen. Pupils have frequent opportunities to write in a range of different styles and for a variety of purposes.

However, not all pupils use their knowledge of spelling, punctuation and grammar consistently well in all their written work. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils make strong progress. Pupils care for each other and for their school.

Older pupils relish positions of responsibility such as supporting the younger pupils at lunchtimes. Children in early years become independent learners. Staff know the children well and opportunities for learning are built on the children's interests.

The curriculum is vibrant and rich. Pupils study a wide range of exciting topics which enthuse them with a love of learning. Leaders have ensured that pupils have many opportunities to learn about Britain as a diverse society.

Pupils have a strong understanding of fairness and equality. Pupils feel safe. They understand how to keep themselves safe online.

Older pupils are well prepared for the transition to secondary school.

Information about this school

The school is an average-sized primary school. Pupils are taught in a mixture of single-age and mixed-age classes.

The majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is lower than the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is lower than the national average.

The current headteacher took up her position in September 2015. A new leadership structure is in place. Many of the governors have taken up their positions since the last inspection, and the Chair of Governors took up her position in September 2018.

The school became an academy in April 2012 as a stand-alone convertor academy. The trustees have overall responsibility for governance in the school. The board of trustees delegates some of its functions to the governing body.

The chair of the board of trustees is also the chair of the governing body. The school is a Church of England voluntary academy. It underwent a denominational inspection under section 48 during May 2018.