Seagry Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school where pupils' academic achievement is good, as is their personal development.

Parents and carers hold the school in high regard. One parental comment, typical of many, was that the school 'goes out of its way to support children'. The school is not outstanding because the performance of pupils in mathematics is not always as consistent as in English.

Pupils, including disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, make good progress. Numbers of pupils in Year 6 are very small each year. This makes statistical comparisons with national data difficult as each pupil can represent over 20% of the school's total results.

School data, pupils' work in lessons... and in books over time show that standards by the end of Key Stage 2 are generally above average. Current assessment information shows that pupils make stronger progress in English than in mathematics because of the challenge provided by sharper progress targets, linked to National Curriculum levels, set in literacy lessons. The good teaching captures pupils' enthusiasm for learning.

Through the federation, staff share expertise and this contributes to making lessons interesting. Occasionally, the teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage provides less opportunity for children to plan their own learning, particularly when using the outside area. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are good.

This is because the school develops individuals' confidence. As a result, pupils readily work together in lessons. Pupils report that there are few incidents of unacceptable behaviour during the school day.

A key strength is the family atmosphere so that older pupils willingly take responsibility for younger pupils. The headteacher and governors of the federation take a rigorous approach to monitoring school performance. This includes the accountability of teachers for the achievement of pupils so that effective progress has been maintained since the last inspection.

However, the strategic analysis of attainment and progress data by leaders is not always sharp enough to enable the federated governing body to provide further challenge and support in building on the current good outcomes for pupils.

Information about the school

The school has been federated with Somerfords' Walter Powell Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School since September 2008. The school shares the federation headteacher and governing body.

Separate inspection teams inspected the two schools simultaneously. Seagry Church of England Primary School is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. The school serves the village of Upper Seagry and surrounding villages.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below national figures. The proportion of pupils supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below the national average. Most pupils come from White British heritages.

Pupils are taught in two classes. In one class, Early Years Foundation Stage children and Key Stage 1 pupils are taught together. All year groups in Key Stage 2 are taught in the second mixed-age class.

There is an independently managed pre-school setting on site that is subject to a separate inspection. In 2011 the results of National Curriculum tests taken by pupils in Year 6 met the government's floor standard, which sets the minimum expectations for attainment and progress. The school has gained the Healthy Schools Award.

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