Smallwood CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, staff and governors have ensured that pupils receive a good standard of education.

Good teaching, learning and assessment across the curriculum ensure that pupils make good progress. Published data in 2018 showed that progress in writing was below that of reading and writing. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress across the curriculum.

Attendance is good. It has remained above the national average for several years. The exciting curriculum prepares pupils well for the next stages of their education.

Pupils are taught to apply their skills and s...olve problems. Pupils' spiritual, moral and social development is good. Opportunities to develop a broader understanding of other cultures is not as well developed.

Pupils' behaviour is good. Excellent conduct and manners are the norm. Pupils treat one another with courtesy and respect.

Leaders have ensured that all arrangements for the safeguarding of pupils are effective. A strong culture of safeguarding permeates the school. The good teaching of phonics ensures that most pupils leave Year 1 having secured the required standard in the phonics screening check.

Teachers do not challenge the most able pupils in writing. Expectations of writing across the curriculum are not high enough. Governors are very supportive of the school.

They are passionate for it to continue to serve the community. However, governors lack a structured approach to their visits because : these are not linked closely to the school improvement priorities. Many middle leaders are new to their roles.

As a result, they have not yet had enough time to evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in their areas of responsibility. The early years is an exciting learning environment. Most children leave the early years with a good level of development.

Children make better progress in English than mathematics. Parents and carers are very supportive of the school. They overwhelmingly stated that their children were safe and well-cared-for.

information about their subjects and identify current priorities

– providing pupils with more opportunities to develop their broader understanding of other cultures. Strengthen teaching and improve progress in writing by: – providing more challenge for the most able writers – raising teachers' expectations of pupils' writing in other subjects across the curriculum. Strengthen the provision in the early years by: – ensuring that children's progress in mathematics is as strong as the progress they make in reading and writing.

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