Markington Church of England Primary & Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Pupils' achievement is outstanding. This is because the headteacher and staff team have maintained and built upon the exceptionally high standards identified in the last inspection report. The very small numbers of children who join the Reception class arrive with a very wide range of knowledge and skills.

In some year groups, all or nearly all children have special educational needs. Pupils leave Year 6 with standards in English and mathematics that are above and sometimes well above those expected nationally. From pupils' individual starting points, this represents excellent progress for pupils across the school.

Teach...ing is outstanding because teachers have exceptionally high expectations of what pupils can achieve and are very effective at ensuring that work set matches pupils' needs. Although pupils usually make rapid progress, in a very small number of mathematics lessons in Key Stage 2 the pace of lessons is not as fast and as a result pupils make less progress. The vast majority of pupils' behaviour is excellent inside and outside the classroom.

They feel that school is a very safe place where, as one pupil commented, 'We all really like each other'. These positive attitudes are reflected in pupils' above average levels of attendance. The outstanding leadership skills of the headteacher are supported well by the small and dedicated staff team.

They work extremely effectively together to improve the school. For example, the continual focus on improving the quality of teaching in English has ensured that pupils' achievement has risen even further. Governors offer school leaders excellent levels of support and challenge in many areas.

However, they are not yet all fully trained in how to review and interpret school performance data which impacts on the effectiveness with which they support and challenge leaders on improving pupils' levels of achievement even further.

Information about this school

Markington Church of England Primary school is a much smaller than average primary school. The vast majority of pupils who attend are of White British heritage with a very small number from other ethnic backgrounds.

Because of the very small numbers of children in each year group, children are all taught in mixed-age classes. A lower than average proportion of pupils is known to be eligible for the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, those in the care of the local authority and those from service families). There is a slightly smaller than average number of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs who are supported through school action.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is almost three times higher than the national average. The school meets the current floor standards set by the government for pupils' attainment and progress. The school has a range of awards and accreditations including the National Healthy Schools status.