Messing Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher has high expectations for what every pupil can achieve and has very successfully driven improvements in teaching, learning and the curriculum. The areas for improvement from the last inspection have been fully addressed.

The trust board and local governing body give exemplary support and challenge to the headteacher. They have a thorough knowledge of the school and are highly committed to school improvement. The leader for pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities has exceptional knowledge of her subject.

Pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities make outstanding progress from their starting points.... Teaching is good in key stages 1 and 2. There have been strong improvements in mathematics teaching over the last year.

Consequently, pupils' progress in mathematics improved in 2018. Most groups of pupils in both key stages make good progress in reading and writing from their starting points. The leadership of, and provision in, the early years foundation stage are outstanding.

Children settle rapidly and make good and often outstanding progress from their starting points. The curriculum is good. Pupils enjoy learning because their interests are taken into consideration in teachers' planning.

Pupils' personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding. Pupils love coming to school because everyone is kind. They have strong friendships and feel very safe.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly pleased with the school. One parent described Messing as: 'A gem of a school. It's supportive and caring whilst challenging children to do their best.

I couldn't be happier.' Middle-ability pupils do not make sufficient progress in reading in key stage 2. It is not clear to staff, pupils or parents what information should be recorded in pupils' reading record books.

Pupils do not always understand what they are reading because : teachers do not check whether books pupils choose suit their level of understanding. Pupils are not clear what to do if they come across a word that is new to them when reading on their own.

Information about this school

The school is a very small primary school.

The school is part of the New Hall Multi-Academy Trust, which is led by a large and successful independent school. The school works closely with a local consortium of 24 primary schools. There is a new teacher in Year 6 and five new learning support assistants this term.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. An average proportion of pupils are eligible for free school meals and pupil premium funding. The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities and those who have an education, health and care plan is above average.