Sand Hutton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

There has been no change to this school's overall judgement of good as a result of this ungraded (section 8) inspection.

However, the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a graded (section 5) inspection were carried out now. The next inspection will therefore be a graded inspection.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at Sand Hutton show the utmost respect towards their friends and the adults who support them in school.

Parents and carers appreciate the nurturing ethos provided by this small school. Many parents spoke of the different ways in which leaders and adults in school go 'above and beyond' to include and support ea...ch member of their school community. Pupils are happy and safe here.

Leaders are passionate about developing pupils' independence and resilience. Pupils live out these values every day. Their behaviour is exemplary throughout the school.

Older pupils explained that bullying does not have the opportunity to happen here, as adults in school deal with any incidences of poor behaviour promptly and effectively.

Pupils enjoy school. Professionals, including a local author, visit school to talk with pupils.

The school takes part in large scale events such as 'Young Voices' as well as inter-school sporting competitions. There are also many smaller events that pupils delight in with equal measure, such as cinema nights and a recent federation street party. These events allow leaders to bring together the communities from both schools in this small federation.

Leaders have found organising the curriculum in a small school to be a challenge. They have spent a significant amount of time considering the order of what they teach, as they evaluate and then develop their approach to learning. This work is still at an early stage.

Curriculum thinking in foundation subjects is not embedded across the school. In early reading, the techniques and strategies for teaching pupils to learn to read have become diluted over time. Pupils do not learn to read as well as they might.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders have an ambitious vision of what they want their school's curriculum to become. They are reviewing each subject to consider how to achieve this. In core subjects, such as mathematics, learning is carefully planned.

Pupils build their knowledge and skills over time. In mathematics and reading, older pupils can talk about how they use what they already know to help them when they are learning something new. However, in many subjects within the wider curriculum, planning is incomplete or yet to be embedded.

In some foundation subjects, such as geography and history, units of learning are planned without the necessary consideration of how this will support pupils to be ready for the next stage in their education. Leaders are unable to demonstrate how new knowledge builds on what pupils already know or how this prepares pupils well for what they need to learn next. In these subjects, pupils struggle to talk about what they know and remember.

When talking with inspectors, pupils became confused when trying to recall what they had learned.

Leaders have an established phonics curriculum in place. However, staff do not consistently follow the techniques and strategies needed to deliver this programme.

Taught phonics sessions and additional phonics support groups do not follow the school's intended approach precisely. This is not helping all pupils to become successful readers. The federation's early reading leaders are very new in post.

These leaders understand the importance of addressing this at speed.

Leaders have high expectations of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Their needs are identified appropriately.

Leaders work well with parents to establish appropriate structures to support pupils with SEND where this is needed. Pupils with SEND are well supported by adults, and many achieve well. However, at times, this is variable.

The key knowledge that pupils need in order to be prepared well for future learning is not always clearly set out in curriculum planning. This makes it difficult for support to be as precisely matched to pupils' individual needs as it could be.

Pupils are confident and articulate.

They are taught how to keep themselves mentally and physically healthy. Pupils explained that they are an integral part of what happens in school. This takes a number of forms, including speaking with adults if they have a concern and sharing their ideas through the student council.

Leaders have thought carefully about the contextual pressures of their rural locality. They address these through their personal, social and health education curriculum. Pupils learn how to stay safe offline as well as online.

Pupils know not to share sensitive information about themselves. They learn about and respect each other's differences.

Governors are knowledgeable about the school and the wider community they serve.

They are highly supportive of leaders and work with them closely. Governors understand the importance of offering suitable challenge to leaders and have accessed various training opportunities to further develop their knowledge. Staff feel well supported by senior leaders.

They enjoy being part of a happy and caring team. Staff say that leaders and governors are considerate of their well-being and workload.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure there is a strong culture of safeguarding and care for pupils. Staff receive regular training in safeguarding and are kept informed of any contextual risks. Regular updates are provided so that all adults in school have a good understanding of the procedures and systems in place.

Pupils and their families benefit from strong relationships that are formed with the school. Leaders know their families well. They communicate openly with them to offer assistance if this is needed.

This open relationship helps to keep pupils safe and ensures that parents have confidence in the staff who are there to support them.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Pupils are not being taught how to read systematically. Adults do not follow the whole school approach.

Pupils are not familiar with the strategies that will help them. This prevents some pupils from learning new sounds accurately and being able to use these to read with fluency. Leaders should ensure that all staff receive training in the school's chosen phonics approach to support them in implementing the phonics curriculum with precision.

Leaders must then ensure that staff implement this approach with fidelity. ? In a number of foundation subjects, leaders have not clearly defined the expectation of exactly what knowledge pupils should learn and by when. In these subjects, pupils struggle to recall facts and information.

Leaders should ensure that the curriculum planning, in every subject, clearly sets out exactly what pupils should know and in what order. This needs to build from pupils starting points in Reception through to Year 6 in order to prepare them well for the next stage in their education.

Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good.

This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection, which is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the second ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be good in January 2013.